--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: During the games of the Circus, he had…" description: "\"During the games of the Circus, he had, imprudently or designedly, performed the manumission of a slave in the presence of the consul. The moment he wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/edward-gibbon-710_circus_during-the-games-of-the-circus-he-had-im_712601.jpg" --- # During the games of the Circus, he had, imprudently or… ![“During the games of the Circus, he had, imprudently or designedly, performed the manumission of a slave in the presence of the consul. The moment he was reminded that he had trespassed on the jurisdiction of another magistrate, he condemned himself to pay a fine of ten pounds of gold, and embraced…” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/edward-gibbon-710_circus_during-the-games-of-the-circus-he-had-im_712601.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/edward-gibbon-710_circus_during-the-games-of-the-circus-he-had-im_712601.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/edward-gibbon-710_circus_during-the-games-of-the-circus-he-had-im_712601.jpg) > “During the games of the Circus, he had, imprudently or designedly, performed the manumission of a slave in the presence of the consul. The moment he was reminded that he had trespassed on the jurisdiction of another magistrate, he condemned himself to pay a fine of ten pounds of gold, and embraced this public occasion of declaring to the world that he was subject, like the rest of his fellow-citizens, to the laws, and even to the forms, of the republic.” [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A public act of freeing a slave highlighted the importance of obeying legal authority and showing equality before the law. **In simple terms:** Obeying law shows equality. Key Takeaway Respect law and demonstrate humility. Themes law humility citizenship equality Mood reflective serious Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - political speeches - legal reforms - civil rights movements Key Concepts Roman law public accountability social hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - How does public accountability affect personal integrity? - What are modern equivalents of demonstrating equality before the law? A Different Perspective Law enforcement can be inconsistent across jurisdictions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circus/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gold/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Occasions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occasions/) [Republic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republic/) [Roman empire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roman-empire/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [A jurisdiction thus vague and arbitrary was exposed to the most dangerous abuse: the substance, as well as the form, of justice were often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/a-jurisdiction-thus-vague-and-arbitrary-was-exposed-to-the-most/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-paul/men-and-women-shall-have-equal-rights-throughout-the-united-states/) [Alice Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-paul/) > [There are already current laws on the books and there are - and jurisdictions. The IRS can come in and do any kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/there-are-already-current-laws-on-the-books-and-there-are-and/) [Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/) > [The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction; that to suffer the civil magistrate to intrude his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-opinions-of-men-are-not-the-object-of-civil-government-nor-under/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It was natural that the direct wielders of the royal prerogative, men who sat in the Star Chamber and the Privy Council, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-jenks/it-was-natural-that-the-direct-wielders-of-the-royal-prerogative-men/) [Edward Jenks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-jenks/) > [First, undoubtedly, there are some people who are coming from Cuba who immediately, or from any other country, benefit. 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I'm not going to comment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-fitzgerald/my-job-is-to-investigate-whether-or-not-a-crime-is-committed-can-be/) Patrick Fitzgerald > [Well my question is if the federal courts don't have jurisdiction over a constitutional question then who the hell does?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/well-my-question-is-if-the-federal-courts-don-t-have-jurisdiction/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [I typically don't use the distinction 'positive' and 'negative' liberty, because negative sounds bad and positive sounds good, and I don't think that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-barnett/i-typically-don-t-use-the-distinction-positive-and-negative-liberty/) Randy Barnett > [The weaknesses and biases of the international mechanisms of accountability make it seem desirable to extend the domain of accountability by empowering domestic courts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-a-falk/the-weaknesses-and-biases-of-the-international-mechanisms-of/) [Richard A. Falk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-a-falk/) > [The fact that Universal Jurisdiction exists in relation to serious international crimes does convey two important aspects of the global reality: first, that such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-a-falk/the-fact-that-universal-jurisdiction-exists-in-relation-to-serious/) [Richard A. Falk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-a-falk/) > [ John \[Mulaney\] likes to say I'm like a district attorney with absolutely no jurisdiction whatsoever. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nasim-pedrad/john-mulaney-likes-to-say-i-m-like-a-district-attorney-with/) [Nasim Pedrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nasim-pedrad/) > [It is imperative to take the initiative, to build firewalls around Alberta, to limit the extent to which an aggressive and hostile federal government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harper/it-is-imperative-to-take-the-initiative-to-build-firewalls-around/) [Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harper/) > [Whether at home or at work, ISTJs are nothing if not reliable, particularly when it comes to inspecting the people and things in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-keirsey/whether-at-home-or-at-work-istjs-are-nothing-if-not-reliable/) [David Keirsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-keirsey/) > [The germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is scarcely a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-germ-of-dissolution-of-our-federal-government-is-in-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More by Edward Gibbon > [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The sectaries of a persecuted religion, depressed by fear, animated with resentment, and perhaps heated by enthusiasm, are seldom in a proper temper of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-sectaries-of-a-persecuted-religion-depressed-by-fear-animated/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [A heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/a-heart-to-resolve-a-head-to-contrive-and-a-hand-to-execute/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [ \[In\] the national and religious conflict of the \[Byzantine and Saracen\] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/in-the-national-and-religious-conflict-of-the-byzantine-and-saracen/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Instead of a perpetual and perfect measure of the divine will, the fragments of the Koran were produced at the discretion of Mahomet; each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/instead-of-a-perpetual-and-perfect-measure-of-the-divine-will-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Constantinople was the principal seat and fortress of Arianism; and, in a long interval of forty years, the faith of the princes and prelates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/constantinople-was-the-principal-seat-and-fortress-of-arianism-and-in/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [It is the common calamity of old age to lose whatever might have rendered it desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-is-the-common-calamity-of-old-age-to-lose-whatever-might-have/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/if-a-man-were-called-to-fix-the-period-in-the-history-of-the-world/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If all the barbarian conquerors had been annihilated in the same hour, their total destruction would not have restored the empire of the West:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/if-all-the-barbarian-conquerors-had-been-annihilated-in-the-same-hour/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [But the desire of obtaining the advantages, and of escaping the burthens, of political society, is a perpetual and inexhaustible source of discord; nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/but-the-desire-of-obtaining-the-advantages-and-of-escaping-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [ \[Every\] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/every-hour-of-delay-abates-the-fame-and-force-of-the-invader-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The science of the church is neglected for the study of geometry, and they lose sight of Heaven while they are employed in measuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-science-of-the-church-is-neglected-for-the-study-of-geometry-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The progress of despotism tends to disappoint its own purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-progress-of-despotism-tends-to-disappoint-its-own-purpose/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [From the paths of blood (and such is the history of nations) I cannot refuse to turn aside to gather some flowers of science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/from-the-paths-of-blood-and-such-is-the-history-of-nations-i-cannot/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/a-nation-of-slaves-is-always-prepared-to-applaud-the-clemency-of/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) [Explore all 399 Edward Gibbon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## More Circus quotes > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [Blind with love, my daughter has cried nightly for horses, those long-necked marchers and churners that she has mastered, any and all, reigning them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/blind-with-love-my-daughter-has-cried-nightly-for-horses-those-long/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [In Roslyn, Pennsylvania, we started our real-life family circus. They provided the inspiration for my cartoons. I provided the perspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/in-roslyn-pennsylvania-we-started-our-real-life-family-circus-they/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [Circus clown. That's a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/circus-clown-that-s-a-new-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Funerals and weddings were commonplace, and nothing could have been so interesting to them as the coming of the end of the world ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-eggleston/funerals-and-weddings-were-commonplace-and-nothing-could-have-been-so/) [Edward Eggleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-eggleston/) > [They are enthusiasts, devotees. Addicts. Something about the circus stirs their souls, and they ache for it when it is absent. They seek each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/they-are-enthusiasts-devotees-addicts-something-about-the-circus/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [When I was 18 I worked with the Ringling Brothers circus, taking care of menagerie animals. I used to rather deliberately risk my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hoagland/when-i-was-18-i-worked-with-the-ringling-brothers-circus-taking-care/) [Edward Hoagland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hoagland/) > [So what if I'm ninety-three? So what if I'm ancient and cranky and my body's a wreck? If they're willing to accept me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gruen/so-what-if-i-m-ninety-three-so-what-if-i-m-ancient-and-cranky-and-my/) [Sara Gruen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gruen/) > [Writing is for men who can think and feel, not mindless sensation seekers out of nightclubs and bars. But these are bad times. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naguib-mahfouz/writing-is-for-men-who-can-think-and-feel-not-mindless-sensation/) [Naguib Mahfouz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naguib-mahfouz/) > [“If i'm gonna be described as a clown for my actions, I might aswell be a whole circus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bee/if-i-m-gonna-be-described-as-a-clown-for-my-actions-i-might-aswell-be/) [Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bee/) > [I've had 79 to 80 years of show business. I started when I was 5 with a man called Tom Mix. I didn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sidney/i-ve-had-79-to-80-years-of-show-business-i-started-when-i-was-5-with/) George Sidney > [When I'm on stage, it's really intense. 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