The complaints of contemporary writes, who deplore the increase of luxury and deprevation of manners, are commonly expressive … - Edward Gibbon

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I've never been a representational artist at all. Most artists have been representational. That's when you discover yourself.

Edward Gibbon

The complaints of contemporary writes, who deplore the increase of luxury and deprevation of manners, are commonly expressive of their peculiar temper and situation. There are few observers who possess a clear and comprehensive view of the revolutions of society, and who are capable of discovering the nice and secret springs of action which impel, in the same uniform direction, the bland and capricious passions of a multitude of individuals.

Action, Individuals, Nice, Passion, Spring, Temper

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I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

Arguing, Life And Love, Make, Mistake, Respect

The decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the cause of the destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and, as soon as time or accident and removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight. The story of the ruin is simple and obvious: and instead of inquiring why the Roman Empire was destroyed we should rather be surprised that it has subsisted for so long.

Cause, Decline, Greatness, Inevitable, Rome, Simple

In the end, more than freedom, they wanted security. They wanted a comfortable life, and they lost it all – security, comfort, and freedom. When the Athenians finally wanted not to give to society but for society to give to them, when the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free and was never free again.

Free, Give, Libertarian Party, Responsibility, Wisdom

A nation ignorant of the equal benefits of liberty and law, must be awed by the flashes of arbitrary power: the cruelty of a despot will assume the character of justice; his profusion, of liberality; his obstinacy, of firmness.

Character, Justice, Law, Nation, Obstinacy, Power

[Whole] generations may be swept away by the madness of kings in the space of a single hour.

Generations, Hour, Kings, Single, Space