The History and Topography of Ireland Quotes

“For human nature is so made that only what is unusual and infrequent excites wonder or is regarded as of value. We make no wonder of the rising and the setting of the sun which we see every day; and yet there is nothing in the universe more beautiful, or worthy of wonder. When, however, an eclipse of the sun takes place, everyone is amazed - because it happens rarely.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“Among all the miracles in Kildare, none appears to me more wonderful than th marvellous book which they say was written in the time of the Virgin [ie. St. Bridgit] at the dictation of an angel. It contains the Four Gospels according to St. Jerome, and almost every page is illustrated by drawings illuminated with a variety of brilliant colours. In one page you see the countenance of the Divine Majesty supernaturally pictured; in another, the mystic forms of the evangelists, with either six, four, or two wings: here are depicted the eagle, there the calf; here the face of man, there of a lion; with other figures in almost endless variety. If you observe them superficially, and in the usual careless manner, you would imagine them to be daubs, rather than careful compositions; expecting to find nothing exquisite. But if you apply yourself to a more close examination, and are able to penetrate the secrets of the art displayed in these pictures, you will find them so delicate and exquisite, so finely drawn, and the work of interlacing so elaborate, while the colours with which they are illuminated are so blended, and still so fresh, that you will be ready to assert that all this is the work of angelic, and not human skill.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“This is proved by the affinity of the two nations in language and habits, in arms as well as in customs, even to the present day.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“They are likewise called Gaideli, and also Scots. Ancient histories relate that one Gaidelus, a grandson son of Phaenius,{150} after the confusion of tongues at the tower of Nimrod, was deeply skilled in various languages. On account of this skill, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, gave him his daughter Scota for wife. Since, therefore, the Irish, as they say, derive their original lineage from these two, Gaidelus and Scota, as they were born, so are they called Gaideli and Scots.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“According to some statements, the Irish (Hibernienses) derived their name from the aforesaid Heber; or rather, according to others, they were so named from the Hiberus (the Ebro), a river in Spain.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“In process of time, as fortune changed, and according to wont caused many disasters, Slanius alone obtained the monarchy of the whole of Ireland. Hence he is called the first king of Ireland. He first reunited the five portions of Meath, and forming them into one province, appropriated the whole of Meath to the royal table.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“It appears to me very remarkable, and deserving of notice, that, as in the present life the people of this nation are beyond all others irascible and prompt to revenge, so also in the life that is after death, the saints of this country, exalted by their merits above those of other lands, appear to be of a vindictive temper.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“According to the British History,{96} Aurelius Ambrosius, king of Britain, caused these stones to be transported from Ireland to Britain by the divine aid of Merlin; and in order to leave some memorial of so great a deed, they were erected on the spot where, before that time, the flower of the youth of Britain died by the concealed knives of the Saxons, who fell upon them and slew them, under the guise of peace, with their treacherous weapons.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“In ancient times there was in Ireland a remarkable pile of stones, called the Giants' Dance,{95} because the giants brought it from the furthest parts of Africa into Ireland, and set it up, partly by main strength, partly by artificial contrivances, in an extraordinary way, on the plains of Kildare, near Naas.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“From Him it is that we exist, and are intelligent beings, as from the source from which all intellect flows, as the stream from its fountain. Since then human nature is so much inferior and less worthy than the angelical, tell us, O man, with what face, with what temerity thou presumest to scrutinize and trace out those mysteries, to the investigation of which the very angels esteem themselves wholly incompetent?”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“For he seldom fails who is not wanting to himself; while those who depend upon the assistance of others, appear very often to fall short of their aims.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“It may be alleged, indeed, in favor of contrary opinions, that in Bede's time there were possibly some few vineyards in Ireland, and that St. Dominic of Ossory, as some say, introduced bees there long after the times of Solinus.”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland

“Conquest of Ireland,”
― Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland