Absolutes Quote by Edward Gibbon
“An absolute monarch, who is rich without patrimony, may be charitable without merit; and Constantine too easily believed that he should purchase the favour of Heaven if he maintained the idle at the expense of the industrious, and distributed among the saints the wealth of the republic.”
About This Quote
The passage critiques a ruler who gains wealth without inheritance, claims charity without merit, and relies on divine favor while exploiting the hardworking, distributing wealth to the elite.
In simple terms: A ruler’s unearned wealth and false piety exploit the industrious.
Key Takeaway
Beware leaders who claim virtue without merit.
Themes
political power
wealth
morality
leadership
social inequality
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- political commentary
- ethical critique
- leadership evaluation
- social justice
Key Concepts
patrimony
charity
divine favor
exploitation
republican ideals
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do leaders have to the productive?
- How can societies ensure fair wealth distribution?
A Different Perspective
The view may oversimplify complex historical motives.
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![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
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![“[Every] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4de/edward-gibbon-710_delay_every-hour-of-delay-abates-the-fame-and_94668.jpg)
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
