{"id":44445,"date":"2017-03-23T05:27:48","date_gmt":"2017-03-23T12:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?page_id=44445"},"modified":"2017-03-24T00:32:21","modified_gmt":"2017-03-24T07:32:21","slug":"gibbons","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/gibbons\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Life Lessons From Edward Gibbon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire\u00e2\u20ac\u009d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Just read (some) of Edward Gibbon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire\u00e2\u20ac\u009d via passages<\/a>. Here are some takeaway points, and life lessons I learned:<\/p>\n

1. Active valor<\/h2>\n

Have disciplined valor; active valor.<\/p>\n

Valor, to be strong.<\/p>\n

2. Hope is what makes us live<\/h2>\n

Roman slaves were even given hope; to one day achieve freedom:<\/p>\n

\n Hope; the best comfort of our imperfect condition, was not denied to the Roman slave; and if he had any opportunity of rendering himself either useful or agreeable; he might very naturally expect that the diligence and fidelity of a few years would be rewarded with the inestimable gift of freedom.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

3. Public benefits<\/h2>\n

\n Many works are erected at private expense; for public benefit.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4. Virtue<\/h2>\n

Virtue is the only good; vice is the only bad, and everything else is indifferent \u00e2\u20ac\u201d Marcus Aurelius<\/p>\n

5. Liberty above all<\/h2>\n

Love of liberty was the best treasure:<\/p>\n

\n the love of liberty was the ruling passion; the enjoyment of it, their best treasure; the word that expressed that enjoyment the most pleasing to the ear.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

6. On avarice<\/h2>\n

We desire riches; and seek it through commerce and industry, no longer alchemy<\/p>\n

\n philosophy; banished the study of alchemy. but now, because we desire riches, we are content to seek riches with the humbler means of commerce and industry.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

7. Hedonic adaptation<\/h2>\n

No matter how good or bad we have it; we will accustom to anything:<\/p>\n

\n the human character; however it may be exalted or depressed by a temporary enthusiasm; will return by degrees to its proper and natural level, and will resume those passions that seem the most adapted to its present condition.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

8. Great emperor<\/h2>\n

Great emperor Julian \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsustained adversity with firmness; and prosperity with moderation.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

A great Roman emperor: makes no distinctions between his duties and his pleasures.<\/p>\n

So remember: My pleasure is my duty; to help others<\/strong><\/p>\n

Labor and work hard to relieve the distress and relief the spirits of my subjects.<\/p>\n

Virtue is happiness; happiness is virtue.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n Neither steel nor fire can eradicate the erroneous opinions of the mind.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Keep all free and equal.<\/p>\n

9. Man is man\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s worst enemy<\/h2>\n

Even worse than nature:<\/p>\n

\n the man has more to fear from the passions of his fellow-creatures than from the convulsions of the elements.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

10. On learning from history<\/h2>\n

Emperor Theodosius, on reading history, to learn from past experiences:<\/p>\n

\n history; which enlarged his experience; was his favorite study. the annals of Rome; in the long period of 1,100 years presented him a various and splendid picture of human life.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lesson: Use past events to learn from, and change my own conduct. Be virtuous. More fortune I have, more virtuous I can be.<\/p>\n

Prosperity should be met with moderation.<\/p>\n

11. People prefer food over freedom<\/h2>\n

Ancient times; people prefer \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcthe solid assurance of bread to the unsubstantial visions of liberty and greatness.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

To be a human is more than just eating bread; but to live greatly, and to pursue liberty and virtue.<\/p>\n

12. The laws of nature<\/h2>\n

\n These idle disputants overlooked the invariable laws of nature; which have connected peace with innocence; plenty with industry; and safety with valor.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Remember these rules of nature:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Innocence leads to peace<\/li>\n
  2. Industry leads to plenty<\/li>\n
  3. Valor leads to safety<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Poetic virtue\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

    13. Appreciate conveniences of life<\/h2>\n

    We have it so much better than the ancients. Consider modern technology, internet, Amazon prime, etc:<\/p>\n

    \n The ancients were destitute of many of the conveniences of life which have been invented or improved by the progress of industry; and the plenty of glass and linen; diffused more real comforts among the modern nations of Europe\/\/ than the senators of Rome could derive from all the refinements of pompous or sensual luxury.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    14. Avarice can never be tamed<\/h2>\n

    We will always be hungry for more pleasures:<\/p>\n

    \n Avarice is an insatiate and universal passion; since the enjoyment of almost every object that can afford pleasure to the different tastes and tempers of mankind may be procured by the possession of wealth.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    15. We depreciate the advantages<\/h2>\n

    We forget the advantages; only focus on evils of our fellow humans:<\/p>\n

    \n There exists in human nature a strong propensity to depreciate the advantages, and to magnify the evils, of the present times.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    16. The laws of war<\/h2>\n

    The laws of war:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. We know if we are always on the conquest of war, we will always gain permanent benefits from the enemy.<\/li>\n
    2. We are always afraid of the retaliation of the enemy, so that is why we stay on the offensive and keep attacking them (first).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      17. No glory lasts forever<\/h2>\n

      Imagine all 60 past emperors and kings of Rome; how they \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfaintly dwell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in our memory:<\/p>\n

      \n Our immortal reason survives and disdains the 60 phantoms of kings who have passed before our eyes; and faintly dwell in our remembrance\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      \n

      Stoicism ><\/a><\/h1>\n

      \"wide<\/p>\n

      Become invincible against fate:<\/p>\n