92 quotes
The most civilised nations of modern Europe issued from the woods of Germany, and in the rude institutions of those barbarians we may still distinguish the original principles of our present laws and manners.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
Every mode of religion, to make a deep and lasting impression on the human mind, must exercise our obedience, by enjoining practices of devotion; and must acquire our esteem, by inculcating moral duties analogous to the dictates of our own hearts.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
Our habits of thinking so fondly connect the order of the universe with the fate of man, that this gloomy period of history has been decorated with inundations, earthquakes, uncommon meteors, preternatural darkness, and a crowd of prodigies fictitious or exaggerated.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
The timid are always cruel.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
If we consult the succeeding writers ... their knowledge will appear gradually to increase as their means of information must have diminished, a circumstance which frequently occurs in historical disquisition.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
Purer than the system of Zoroaster, more liberal than the law of Moses, the religion of Muhammad might seem less inconsistent with reason than the creed of mystery and superstition which, in the seventh century, disgraced the simplicity of the gospels.
Antoninus diffused order and tranquility over the greatest part of the earth. His reign is marked by the rare advantage of furnishing very few materials for history; which is, indeed, little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
The captain of the Hampshire grenadiers...has not been useless to the historian of the Roman Empire.
Memoirs (1796)
...in the prosecution of a favourite scheme, the best of men, satisfied with the rectitude of their intentions, are subject to forget the bounds of moderation...
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
The same timid policy, of dividing whatever is united, of reducing whatever is eminent, of dreading every active power, and of expecting that the most feeble will be the most obedient, seems to pervade the institutions of several princes, and particularly those of Constantine.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
[T]he progress of despotism ... tends to disappoint its own purpose.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
Benevolence is the foundation of Justice, since we are forbidden to injure those we are bound to assist. A prophet may reveal the secrets of Heaven and futurity, but in his moral precepts he can only repeat the lessons of our own hearts.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
A warlike nation like the Germans, without either cities, letters, arts, or money, found some compensation for this savage state in the enjoyment of liberty. Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
It was here [at the age of seventeen] that I suspended my religious inquiries.
Memoirs (1796)
[E]unuchs, that pernicious vermin of the East...
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
The primitive Church, which I have treated with some freedom, was itself at that time, an innovation, and I was attached to the old Pagan establishment.
[T]he Christians, in the course of their intestine dissensions, have inflicted far greater severities on each other than they had experienced from the zeal of infidels.
The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)
'I believe in 'One God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God,' is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honours of the Prophet of God have never transgressed the measure of human virtue, and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion."
Burke's book is a most admirable medication against the French disease, which has made too much progress even in this happy country. I admire his eloquence, I approve his politics, I adore his chivalry, and I can even forgive his superstition.
I sighed as a lover, I obeyed as a son.
Memoirs (1796)