\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Surrounded with imperfect fragments, always concise often obscure, and sometimes contradictory, the historian is reduced to collect, to compare and to conjecture.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
History is more like story-telling. For us as historians to gather the fragments from the past, to compare, to conjecture\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and to not<\/em> make the same mistakes as others did in the past.<\/p>\n5. Learning begets hope<\/h2>\n\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The revival of learning gave new vigor to hope\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The more we learn, and achieve self-enlightenment, the more hope we have in life. The hope to change our lives for the better.<\/p>\n
6. Learn from the mistakes of history<\/h2>\n\n History undertakes to record the transaction of the past; for the instruction of future ages. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What practical lessons can we learn from history, and what mistakes can we avoid?<\/p>\n
7. Be single-minded<\/h2>\n\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have seldom an opportunity of observing, either in active or speculative life; what effect may be produced, or what obstacles may be surmounted, by the force of a single mind; when it is inflexibly applied to pursuit of a single object.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Your force of your single mind can move mountains. Be inflexible in your single pursuit in life\u00e2\u20ac\u201d of justice, courage, virtue.<\/p>\n
Know that you can accomplish a shit-load in this short life of yours. The force of your inner-genius is phenomenal.<\/p>\n
The only way to achieve it\u00e2\u20ac\u201d believe in yourself (the strength of your single mind), and pursue a single object with all your heart, soul, and energy.<\/p>\n
8. The role of a leader<\/h2>\n\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153After 120 years; Romans beheld an emperor who made no distinction between his duties and his pleasures, who labored to relieve the distress and to revive the spirit of his subjects; and who endeavored always to connect authority with merit, and happiness with virtue.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
If you are a leader, make your duty be the same as your pleasure. Labor and work hard to relieve the distress and anxiety of others.<\/p>\n
Work hard to revive the spirits of your subjects. Always endeavor to help people find inner-happiness in their heart.<\/p>\n
9. Decline of society<\/h2>\n
What causes a society to decline? Love of luxury, fashion, pleasure, and vain furniture:<\/p>\n
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fashion was the only law; pleasure the only pursuit; and the splendor of dress and furniture the only distinction of the citizens of Antioch.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
10. Your obstacles are imaginary<\/h2>\n
Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be discouraged by fake or imaginary obstacles. A lot of our obstacles in life are self-imposed phantoms, that don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exist:<\/p>\n
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We may rest assured; from the love of glory; and contempt of danger; which formed the character of Julian, that he was not discouraged by any trivial or imaginary obstacles.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
11. Beware flattery<\/h2>\n
Flattery as one of the most vices:<\/p>\n
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The frequent and familiar companions of the great are those parasites who practice the most useful of all arts, the art of flattery; who eagerly applaud each word and every action of their immortal patron; gaze with rapture on his marble columns and variegated pavements, and strenuously praise the pomp and elegance which he is taught to consider as a part of his personal merit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Avoid those who flatter you. They will corrupt you.<\/p>\n
12. Appreciate advantages in life<\/h2>\n
Human nature is to exaggerate the evils of the present times, and to diminish the advantages of the present times:<\/p>\n
\n There exists in human nature a strong propensity to depreciate the advantages, and to magnify the evils, of the present times. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Imagine our lives. We have the internet. Food, water, sanitation, shelter. Yet we still complain.<\/p>\n
13. Seek to serve others<\/h2>\n
Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be a monk\u00e2\u20ac\u201d living in solitude, and trying to cut away my own sins. Rather, be an active member of society\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to help uplift others:<\/p>\n
\n The lives of the primitive monks were consumed in penance and solitude, undisturbed by the various occupations which fill the time, and exercise the faculties, of reasonable, active, and social beings. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
14. Prosperity often leads to decline<\/h2>\n\n Prosperity ripened the principle of decay. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Too much prosperity is bad for us. It makes us soft. And leads to moral weakness. And decline of virtue, and increase of vice.<\/p>\n
15. One man has infinite power<\/h2>\n\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The happiness of an hundred millions depended on the personal merit of one or two men, perhaps children, whose minds were corrupted by education, luxury, and despotic power.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
One person can change the minds of millions.<\/p>\n
16. What can we learn from 4,000 years of history?<\/h2>\n\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The experience of four thousand years should enlarge our hopes and diminish our apprehensions…\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Studying history for 4,000 years\u00e2\u20ac\u201d have more hope in life, and fewer fears.<\/p>\n
17. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be greedy for gold and money<\/h2>\n
Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have ambition and thirst of gold:<\/p>\n
\n A philosopher; liberal of his wealth and parsimonious of his time, is insensible to the common allurements of ambition, and the thirst of gold. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Rather, be appreciative of the wealth I already have. Be stingy with my time. Only focus my energy on uplifting the souls of others, rather than stuffing my own pockets with gold.<\/p>\n
18. Memento mori<\/h2>\n
After a Roman triumph, an emperor would ride around the city in a chariot\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and a slave would whisper in his ear, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Memento mori.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (remember, you are mortal, and you will die), in order to not<\/em> enlarge the ego of the emperor. To humble the emperor.<\/p>\nThe emperor is not a God. The emperor will die.<\/p>\n
19. Purify the heart<\/h2>\n
Study the stoics, and Epictetus to \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpurify the heart\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n
20. All of humanity is comparison<\/h2>\n
We compare humans to one another. All \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpersonal merit\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is relative:<\/p>\n
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Our estimate of personal merit is relative to the common faculties of mankind.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Practically speaking, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compare ourselves to others. No matter how good or bad we are, we will be compared to others. This goes to our wealth, accomplishments, etc.<\/p>\n
We will always be compared to others. Even if we are giants, if someone is even bigger than us, we will be seen as small.<\/p>\n
\n The aspiring efforts of genius or virtue; either in active or speculative life; are measured not so much by their real elevation as by the height to which they ascent above the level of their age or country; and the same statue which in a people of giants would pass unnoticed (next to midgets)\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In life, we should judge ourselves to our \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcreal elevation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. Not to compare our height with others.<\/p>\n
21. Seek the truth<\/h2>\n
Gibbons was:<\/p>\n
\n Attached to no party; interested only for the truth and candor of history\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Gibbons didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ascribe to one party or belief-system. His role in being a historian was to find truth, and candor.<\/p>\n
He wanted to:<\/p>\n
\n Contemplate the principles of a science so important to the peace and happiness of society.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
To figure out what makes a society happy and peaceful. To learn from the mistakes of foolish past Roman emperors.<\/p>\n
22. Too much information<\/h2>\n\n In the space of 1,000 years (ten centuries) the infinite variety of laws and legal opinions had filled many thousand volumes, which no fortune could purchase and no capacity could digest. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
We need to simplify information. To change theory and concepts and ideas into deeds, and action.<\/p>\n
To keep instruction brief, practical, and to-the-point. To make information easily digestible, to actually apply it to practice.<\/p>\n
23. People are foolish<\/h2>\n\n The passions of the people are furious and changeable. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
People will never be constant. It is human nature.<\/p>\n
24. Avoid thoughts of paradise after death<\/h2>\n\n The road to paradise; a bridge as sharp as a razor, was suspended over the abyss by the master-hand of the theological artist. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Paradise is being alive. Paradise exists now. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe in a heaven or hell after death.<\/p>\n
Do all in my life right now to be virtuous, and to help humankind.<\/p>\n
25. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust<\/h2>\n\n The remains of his mangled corpse were delivered to the flames; and his ashes to the wind\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My body will die, perish, and be delivered to the flames at the end of my life. My ashes will be scattered to the wind.<\/p>\n
Always remember my mortality.<\/p>\n
26. All power is fleeting<\/h2>\n\n If we compute the number and duration of the reigns between Heraclius and Andronicus it will be found that a period of 600 years is filled with 60 emperors. it is thus that the experience of history exalts and enlarges the horizon of our intellectual view.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It is humbling to know that in 600 years, there were 60 emperors. To realize all the ambitions, hopes, dreams, and accomplishments of these emperors just fades into dust.<\/p>\n
Who remembers any of these 60 emperors in 2017?<\/p>\n
Study history, to live a better life\u00e2\u20ac\u201d today.<\/p>\n
Also to realize, Gibbons wrote about thousands of years of history in some days. The history of thousands of years can be read in some hours. 600 years has rolled on by, so fleeting:<\/p>\n
\n In a composition of some days; in a perusal of some hours; 600 years have rolled away – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The duration of life is \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccontracted to a fleeting moment.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Death is always beside the throne. If you are a criminal and commit a crime, you will always lose your prize.<\/p>\n
To also know, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcimmortal reason\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 will survive forever:<\/p>\n
\n The duration of a life or reign is contracted to a fleeting moment; the grave is ever beside the throne; the success of a criminal is almost instantly followed by a loss of his prize; and our immortal reason survives and disdains the 60 phantoms of kings who have passed before our eyes; and faintly dwell on our remembrance. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
27. Use ambition (in a good way)<\/h2>\n\n The observation that in every age and climate, ambition has prevailed with the same commanding energy. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Ambition is usually bad. The ambition of kings who conquered in the past has actually prevailed. But to remind myself, to be ambitious\u00e2\u20ac\u201d for good. Virtuous industry, and virtuous ambition.<\/p>\n
Ambition almost always prevails. This surprises a lot of philosophers. While the philosopher condemns the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcvanity of ambition\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we \u00e2\u20ac\u02dctry to understand the motive of this universal desire to obtain and hold the scepter of power\/dominion.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n
Why do we all have a universal desire for power?<\/p>\n
28. Keep it simple<\/h2>\n
Study the simple teachings of Jesus:<\/p>\n
\n In the long night of superstition, the Christians had wandered far away from the simplicity of the Gospel; nor was it easy for them to discern the clue, and tread back the mazes, of the labyrinth. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get lost in the labyrinth of religion.<\/p>\n
29. Technology can lessen our toil<\/h2>\n\n Our toil is lessened; our wealth is increased – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In the past, they had slaves, and modern technology to lessen their toil.<\/p>\n
Therefore, we should embrace technology that lessen our toil. Increase our wealth, to pursue more virtue, wisdom, and happiness.<\/p>\n
Consider the dominion that humans had over animals, like the ox, or the sheep:<\/p>\n
\n By our dominion over the useful animals; the Arabian shepherd had acquired the absolute possession of a faithful friend and a laborious slave. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Embrace useful animals. Embrace useful technology. Make technology our slave. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let ourselves become a slave to our technology.<\/strong><\/p>\n30. Study the Arabic poets<\/h2>\n\n The Arabian poets were the historians and moralists of the age; and they inspired and crowned the virtues; of their countrymen.<\/p>\n
Arabia was free; the adjacent kingdoms were shaken by the storms of conquest and tyranny.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The ancient Arabic poets were great. What were their past virtues, living in the desert, with little. Strength in poverty and simplicity in life.<\/p>\n
31. Solitude leads to genius<\/h2>\n\n Conversation enriches the understanding; but solitude is the school of genius. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Solitude is the school of genius<\/strong><\/p>\nTo develop our wisdom and understanding, we need more time in solitude. Conversation is good to enrich our understanding, but solitude is key.<\/p>\n
32. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t live for the future<\/h2>\n\n The human fancy can paint with more energy the misery than the bliss of a future life. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
We have more energy and bliss, thinking of a blissful life after death. In heaven, or in a future life.<\/p>\n
Rather, we should best embrace the benefits of now. Not after we die.<\/p>\n
33. Pain and pleasure are fleeting<\/h2>\n\n With the two simple elements of darkness and fire we can create a sensation of pain; which may be aggravated to an infinite degree by the idea of endless duration. But the same idea operates with an opposite effect on the continuity of pleasure\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
To be a human is more than avoiding pain, and pursuing pleasure.<\/p>\n
We can live in pain our entire lives. We can live in pleasure our entire lives.<\/p>\n
But after we die, we will no longer feel pain or pleasure.<\/p>\n
Why keep pursuing pointless pleasure? How many times can I excite my endorphins by letting certain foods and compounds pass through my throat?<\/p>\n
Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fear pain. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re strong enough to endure it.<\/p>\n
34. Study other planets<\/h2>\n
Earth is just one planet. The universe is infinite, and constantly expanding.<\/p>\n
To think of other planets, and to study astronomy is to realize how little we are as humans:<\/p>\n
\n The sublime science of astronomy; which elevates the mind of man to disdain his diminutive planet and momentary existence. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
To elevate my mind to disdain my little body, and my little fleeting time on the planet Earth.<\/p>\n
To use the little body, little time I have, to do a (few) great things.<\/p>\n
To try to make a dent in the universe.<\/strong><\/p>\n35. Make my own art<\/h2>\n
Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be an art collector; make my own art. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be lazy:<\/p>\n
\n They coveted the works of art; which they were too lazy to imitate and too indigent to purchase. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
36. The tomb awaits us all<\/h2>\n
We are all bounded by the same (ultimate) fate of death:<\/p>\n
\n Of human life, the most glorious or humble prospects are alike\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and soon bounded by the tomb. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
No matter how glorious of a life I live, or how humbly I live, we all share the same fate\u00e2\u20ac\u201d the same tomb.<\/p>\n
We are all equal in birth, and in death.<\/strong><\/p>\n37. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be thirsty for power<\/h2>\n\n In every age; and more especially in Asia; the thirst of power has inspired the same passions and occasioned the same disorders\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Being thirsty for power\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we can never quench our thirst. We will ruin other nations, trying to be hungry for power. Lead to death, famine, and misery.<\/p>\n
38. Awaken the spirits of the people<\/h2>\n
With the Crusades\u00e2\u20ac\u201d the Roman emperor woke up the people. Of course, for a wrongful goal. But interesting to note how it changed the psyche of the Roman people:<\/p>\n
\n When Peter the hermit painted the sufferings of the natives and the pilgrims of Palestine; every heart was melted to compassion; every breast glowed with indignation when he challenged the warriors of the age to defend their brethren, and to rescue their savior. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Many Crusaders picked up their swords, to fight the Arabs of the middle-east.<\/p>\n
My takeaway point: make sure that I have a heart that will \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcmelt to compassion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to the suffering of others. For my \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbreast to glow with indignation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 according to the injustice done unto others. To help rescue others.<\/p>\n
39. Seek happiness for the people<\/h2>\n\n The wishes and interest of the people; whose happiness is the first object of government. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The purpose of a government isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t to enriched the monarch or emperor. Rather, to help fulfill the (virtuous) wishes and interest of people. To help make people become happy.<\/p>\n
40. Beauty<\/h2>\n
Gibbons in describing a statue; probably some of the most beautiful poetic lines I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve read:<\/p>\n
\n Snowy arms; rosy lips; swimming eyes; arched eyebrows; the harmony of her shape; the lightness of her drapery; and her flowing locks that wavered in the winds. – Gibbons\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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