Edward Gibbon Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind."

by:	Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) English historian
Source:	From: "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"
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Categories:	Crime, History, Humanity
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Reader comments about this quote:

And mostly told by the most successful criminals. -- Mike, Norwalk 1 1
History teaches us the mistakes of the past. Why do we repeat them? -- cal, Lewisville, TX 1
-- jim k, Austin
Lamentably, a reflective of reality statement. The Fall has had its effects. -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill
Thank goodness for the " little more". Wisdom endures from generation to generation in a rule which the Creator supplies. -- Ronw13, Oregon
cal, knowledge is power -- how one wields power determines the result. The common folk are generally ignorant of history, and the power-hungry can learn from history how to exploit the 'suckers.' These rackets are found throughout history in most every 'civilized' society, preying upon the passions and gullibility of the uneducated (or more accurately, 'domesticated') and powerless. That's why the morality, honor, and integrity of the people are so important -- otherwise, they are easy marks for every con man down the line, of which there are always plenty. People who can talk you out of your money -- even talk you into robbing the guy next to you and 'giving' his money, too. Now THAT is a racket: politics! Thus, indeed history is but a record of the "crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind." -- E Archer, NYC