Flattery Quote by Edward Gibbon
“The voice of history is often little more than the organ of hatred or flattery.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon, 1776
Historical narratives often reflect the author's biases, serving either to condemn or flatter, rather than objective truth.
In simple terms: History can be biased.
Key Takeaway
Question sources critically.
Themes
history
bias
power
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- media analysis
- political discourse
- education
Key Concepts
narrative framing
propaganda
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from a given historical interpretation?
- How can we detect bias in historical texts?
A Different Perspective
Even reputable works can embed personal agendas.
![“I read it [history] a little as a duty, but it tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars or pestilences, in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all — it is very tiresome: and yet I often think it odd that it…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dff/jane-austen-39_deals_i-read-it-history-a-little-as-a-duty-but_2713541.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)
