--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is nothing perhaps more adverse to…" description: "\"There is nothing perhaps more adverse to nature and reason than to hold in obedience remote countries and foreign nations, in opposition to their incli..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/edward-gibbon-710_adverse_there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to_1249516.png" --- # There is nothing perhaps more adverse to nature and reason… ![“There is nothing perhaps more adverse to nature and reason than to hold in obedience remote countries and foreign nations, in opposition to their inclination and interest.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/edward-gibbon-710_adverse_there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to_1249516.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/edward-gibbon-710_adverse_there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to_1249516.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/edward-gibbon-710_adverse_there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to_1249516.png) > “There is nothing perhaps more adverse to nature and reason than to hold in obedience remote countries and foreign nations, in opposition to their inclination and interest.” [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. Imposing foreign rule on distant lands contradicts natural order and rational self‑interest. **In simple terms:** Forcing control on remote peoples defies nature and reason. Key Takeaway Respect local autonomy. Themes politics colonialism ethics Mood critical reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - government policy - international aid - cultural preservation Key Concepts sovereignty self‑determination natural law Questions to Reflect On - How can external powers align with local inclinations? - What criteria define “natural” governance? A Different Perspective Assumes all remote societies share the same interests. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adverse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adverse/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Foreign Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreign-nations-1027722/) [Hold Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-obedience-1199459/) [Inclination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inclination/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Nations Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations-opposition-3931976/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Opposition Inclination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition-inclination-3931977/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Remote Countries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remote-countries-3931978/) ## Related quotes > [Terrorism is global and can come from even remote countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/terrorism-is-global-and-can-come-from-even-remote-countries/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Myself, and all the Angelic Host, that stand in the sight of God enthroned, our happy state hold, as you yours, while our obedience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/myself-and-all-the-angelic-host-that-stand-in-the-sight-of-god/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Those who visit foreign nations, but who associate only with their own countrymen, change their climate, but not their customs 'caelum non animum mutant':…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/those-who-visit-foreign-nations-but-who-associate-only-with-their-own/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Foreign nations have begun to include information warfare in their war college curricula with respect to both defensive and offensive applications.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-tenet/foreign-nations-have-begun-to-include-information-warfare-in-their/) [George Tenet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-tenet/) > [The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves and united…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-true-theory-of-our-constitution-is-surely-the-wisest-and-best-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-great-rule-of-conduct-for-us-in-regard-to-foreign-nations-is-in-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have as little political connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-great-rule-of-conduct-for-us-in-regard-to-foreign-nations-is-in/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [I have ever deemed it fundamental for the United States never to take active part in the quarrels of Europe. Their political interests are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-ever-deemed-it-fundamental-for-the-united-states-never-to-take-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Obviously, we shouldn't be having any American officeholder or any American candidate looking for foreign nations to come in and be involved in U.S.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sasse/obviously-we-shouldn-t-be-having-any-american-officeholder-or-any/) [Ben Sasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sasse/) > [Its objects are CONTRACTS with foreign nations which have the force of law, but derive it from the obligations of good faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/its-objects-are-contracts-with-foreign-nations-which-have-the-force/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [I don't think we should be engaged in nation-building. It's not our job to turn foreign nations into democratic utopias, to try to turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-don-t-think-we-should-be-engaged-in-nation-building-it-s-not-our/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [Those who visit foreign nations, but associate only with their own country-men, change their climate, but not their customs. They see new meridians, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/those-who-visit-foreign-nations-but-associate-only-with-their-own/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [My general plan would be to make the States one as to everything connected with foreign nations and several as to everything purely domestic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-general-plan-would-be-to-make-the-states-one-as-to-everything/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The United States can no longer rely upon foreign nations such as China to bail us out of our economic irresponsibility. We must live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/the-united-states-can-no-longer-rely-upon-foreign-nations-such-as/) [Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/) > [If China stood on an equal basis with other nations, she could compete freely with them in the economic field and be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-yat-sen/if-china-stood-on-an-equal-basis-with-other-nations-she-could-compete/) [Sun Yat-sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-yat-sen/) ## 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; 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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 Adverse quotes > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [Truth emerges from the clash of adverse ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/truth-emerges-from-the-clash-of-adverse-ideas/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [People frequently ask me if adverse criticism bothers me. I've had a lot of it, and I have been able to shrug most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-giles/people-frequently-ask-me-if-adverse-criticism-bothers-me-i-ve-had-a/) [Warren Giles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-giles/) > [A society in which conjugal infidelity is tolerated must always be in the long run a society adverse to women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/a-society-in-which-conjugal-infidelity-is-tolerated-must-always-be-in/) [C. S. 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They don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-lagarde/in-the-area-of-trading-it-is-now-an-academically-demonstrated-fact/) [Christine Lagarde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-lagarde/) [Browse all 190 Adverse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adverse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is nothing perhaps more adverse to nature and reason than to hold in obedience remote countries and foreign nations, in opposition to their inclination and interest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Gibbon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to-nature-and-reason-than-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adverse" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to-nature-and-reason-than-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/edward-gibbon-710_adverse_there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to_1249516.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/edward-gibbon-710_adverse_there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to_1249516.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0d/edward-gibbon-710_adverse_there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to_1249516.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is nothing perhaps more adverse to nature and reason than to hold in obedience remote countries and…” — Edward Gibbon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edward Gibbon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is nothing perhaps more adverse...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to-nature-and-reason-than-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/there-is-nothing-perhaps-more-adverse-to-nature-and-reason-than-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```