The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume II Quotes

“On solemn festivals, Julian, who felt and professed an unfashionable dislike to these frivolous amusements, condescended to appear in the Circus; and, after bestowing a careless glance on five or six of the races, he hastily withdrew with the impatience of a philosopher, who considered every moment as lost that was not devoted to the advantage of the public or the improvement of his own mind.”
― Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume II

“The books of jurisprudence were interesting to few, and entertaining to none: their value was connected with present use, and they sunk forever as soon as that use was superseded by the innovations of fashion, superior merit, or public authority.”
― Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume II

“...experience has proved the distinction of active and passive courage. The fanatic who endures without a groan the torture of the rack or the state would tremble and fly before the face of an armed enemy.”
― Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume II