Empires Quote by Edward Gibbon
“The history of empires is the record of human misery; the history of the sciences is that of the greatness and happiness of mankind.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1776
He contrasts the suffering recorded in empire histories with the progress and joy documented in scientific histories.
In simple terms: Empires bring misery; science brings happiness.
Key Takeaway
Learn from history to value scientific advancement.
Themes
history
science
human condition
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- educational curricula
- public policy debates
- science outreach
- historical research
Key Concepts
suffering vs. progress
civilization cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance scientific growth with human welfare?
- What lessons do empire failures teach modern governance?
A Different Perspective
Focusing solely on scientific triumphs may overlook the ethical costs of progress.
![“The works which this man [Joseph Banks] leaves behind him occupy a few pages only; their importance is not greatly superior to their extent; and yet his name will shine out with lustre in the history of the sciences.” quote by Georges Cuvier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6de/georges-cuvier-21747_accounts_the-works-which-this-man-joseph-banks-le_1010690.jpg)
![“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)
![“[Chinese] are a huge empire now, you'll soon be - in a few years two billion people in the world. So, you should be more compassionate, more understanding. And above all, you don't need all their trouble.” quote by Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/751/elie-wiesel-341_billions_chinese-are-a-huge-empire-now-you-ll-soo_28398.jpg)
