“Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism.”
Other Edward Gibbon Quotes
We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.
Edward Gibbon 
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I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expenses, and my expense is equal to my wishes.
Edward Gibbon
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Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.
Edward Gibbon
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The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.
Edward Gibbon
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The laws of probability, so true in general, so fallacious in particular.
Edward Gibbon
55% of people like this quote