The history of empires is the record of human misery; the history of the sciences is that of the greatness and happiness of mankind.
Interpretation
Gibbon contrasts the impacts of empires with those of scientific advancement on human happiness.
In this quote, Edward Gibbon emphasizes the duality of human progress by highlighting that while empires often lead to suffering and misery, the pursuit and achievements of science contribute to human greatness and well-being. This suggests that the direction of human history can greatly influence the quality of life, urging us to value the advancements in science over the conquests of empires.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of investing in scientific research for societal betterment.
It was Rome, on the fifteenth of October, 1764, as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol, while the barefooted friars were singing vespers in the Temple of Jupiter, that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city first started to my mind.
I will not dissemble the first emotions of joy on the recovery of my freedom, and, perhaps, the establishment of my fame. But my pride was soon humbled, and a sober melancholy was spread over my mind, by the idea that I had taken an everlasting leave of an old and agreeable companion, and that whatsoever might be the future date of my History, the life of the historian must be short and precarious.
And the winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.
The first and indispensable requisite of happiness is a clear conscience.
In discussing Barbarism and Christianity I have actually been discussing the Fall of Rome.
Many a sober Christian would rather admit that a wafer is God than that God is a cruel and capricious tyrant.
I make up my opinions from facts and reasoning, and not to suit any body but myself. If people don't like my opinions, it makes little difference as I don't solicit their opinions or votes.
The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.
Sin can bring pleasure, but never happiness.
Reality may avoid the obligation to be interesting, but ... hypotheses may not.
We decided that it was no good asking what is the meaning of life, because life isn't an answer, life is the question, and you, yourself, are the answer.
The man who is seriously convinced that he deserves hell is not likely to go there, while the man who believes that he is worthy of heaven will certainly never enter that blessed place.
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