Animated Quote by Edward Gibbon
“In the various states of society, armies are recruited from very different motives. Barbarians are urged by the love of war; the citizens of a free republic may be prompted by a principle of duty; the subjects, or at least the nobles, of a monarchy, are animated by a sentiment of honor; but the timid and luxurious inhabitants of a declining empire must be allured into the service by the hopes of profit, or compelled by the dread of punishment.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1776
Different societies recruit soldiers for varied reasons, from honor and duty to profit and fear.
In simple terms: People join armies for many motives.
Key Takeaway
Understand the underlying motives when analyzing military recruitment.
Themes
history
politics
military
society
economics
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
historical
political
sociological
When to use this quote
- Studying ancient Rome
- modern recruitment policies
- civil-military relations
- policy design
Key Concepts
Motivation
social structure
incentives
Questions to Reflect On
- What incentives best motivate soldiers today?
- How do economic conditions shape military enlistment?
A Different Perspective
Not all recruits are driven by patriotism; economic desperation can dominate.
![“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)
![“[In] the national and religious conflict of the [Byzantine and Saracen] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/338/edward-gibbon-710_byzantine_in-the-national-and-religious-conflict-o_29382.jpg)
![“[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)
![“Marylata [ Elton] introduced me to Hans Zimmer. Hans tapped me [to] work on songs for DreamWorks' animated features. I arranged Elton John's opening main title for The Road to El Dorado, I played guitars on Shrek for Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell, I co-produced "I Can See Clearly Now" for…” quote by Danny Jacob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/abe/danny-jacob-65582_animated_marylata-elton-introduced-me-to-hans-zim_12635.jpg)
