Edward Gibbon

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book.

The author himself is the best judge of his own performance; none has so deeply meditated on the subject; none is so sincerely interested in the event.

History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

Style is the image of character.

Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism.

Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule.

I was never less alone than when by myself.

I understand by this passion the union of desire, friendship, and tenderness, which is inflamed by a single female, which prefers her to the rest of her sex, and which seeks her possession as the supreme or the sole happiness of our being.

My early and invincible love of reading I would not exchange for all the riches of India.

It has always been my practice to cast a long paragraph in a single mould, to try it by my ear, to deposit it in my memory, but to suspend the action of the pen till I had given the last polish to my work.