--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On the slightest touch the unsupported…" description: "\"On the slightest touch the unsupported fabric of their pride and power fell to the ground. The expiring senate displayed a sudden lustre, blazed for a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d2/edward-gibbon-710_fabric_on-the-slightest-touch-the-unsupported-f_1262727.jpg" --- # On the slightest touch the unsupported fabric of their… ![“On the slightest touch the unsupported fabric of their pride and power fell to the ground. The expiring senate displayed a sudden lustre, blazed for a moment, and was extinguished for ever.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d2/edward-gibbon-710_fabric_on-the-slightest-touch-the-unsupported-f_1262727.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d2/edward-gibbon-710_fabric_on-the-slightest-touch-the-unsupported-f_1262727.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d2/edward-gibbon-710_fabric_on-the-slightest-touch-the-unsupported-f_1262727.jpg) > “On the slightest touch the unsupported fabric of their pride and power fell to the ground. The expiring senate displayed a sudden lustre, blazed for a moment, and was extinguished for ever.” [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. Power collapses quickly when its foundations are unsupported, like a fragile fabric. **In simple terms:** Unstable power falls fast. Key Takeaway Build solid foundations for lasting influence. Themes politics history imperial decline Mood reflective cautionary Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - government reforms - organizational restructuring - leadership transitions - crisis management Key Concepts structural fragility transient authority Questions to Reflect On - What supports sustain power? - How can institutions prevent sudden collapse? A Different Perspective Not all declines are sudden; some erode slowly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expiring Senate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expiring-senate-4020673/) [Extinguished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extinguished-262564/) [Fabric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fabric/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Moment Extinguished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment-extinguished-4020672/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Roman empire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roman-empire/) [Senate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/senate/) [Senate Displayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/senate-displayed-4020675/) [Sudden Lustre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sudden-lustre-4020674/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [But the severe rules of discipline which the prudence of the bishops had instituted were relaxed by the same prudence in favour of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/but-the-severe-rules-of-discipline-which-the-prudence-of-the-bishops/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The pastoral labours of the archbishop of Constantinople provoked and gradually united against him two sorts of enemies; the aspiring clergy, who envied his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-pastoral-labours-of-the-archbishop-of-constantinople-provoked-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Antoninus diffused order and tranquility over the greatest part of the earth. 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