Whenever the offence inspires less horror than the punishment, the rigour of penal law is obliged to give way to the common feelings of mankind.

Edward Gibbon

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

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More information about this quote

Topic

Legal theory Moral theory Law

Author

Edward Gibbon

Source

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Genre

Historical literature

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Occupation

Historian Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Gibbon, Edward. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Vol. 1, London: Strahan & Cadell, 1776, ch. 14.

Current Citation

Gibbon, Edward. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volumes 1-6. Vol. 1. Everyman's Library, 2010, ch. 14.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1770s

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Samuel Johnson

Quoted in The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D, by James Boswell

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More information about this quote
Topic
Abuses of patriotism Patriotism
Speaker
Samuel Johnson

Author

James Boswell
Source
The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D
Genre
Biography
Language
English
Time
1778 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Johnson, Samuel. Quoted in journal entry, written by James Boswell. 7 Apr. 1778.

Current Citation

Johnson, Samuel. Quoted in The Life of Samuel Johnson, written by James Boswell, edited by David Womersley. Penguin Classics, 2008.

Another quote about Moral theory

What's not forbidden to do make bold.

Friedrich Schiller

The Camp of Wallenstein

More information about this quote
Topic
Moral theory
Speaker
First Yager

Author

Friedrich Schiller
Source
The Camp of Wallenstein
Medium
Play
Genre
Tragedy (play) Tragedy
Statement Type
Precepts and axioms
Language
German
Time
1798 1790s 18th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Schiller, Friedrich. Wallensteins Lager [Wallenstein's Camp]. 12 Oct. 1798, Weimarer Hoftheatre, Weimar, Germany, sc. 6.

Current Citation

Schiller, Friedrich. "Wallenstein's Camp." The Robbers and Wallenstein, translated by F. J. Lamport. Penguin Classics, 1980, sc. 6.

Another quote from 1776

No, Sir; to act from pure benevolence is not possible for finite beings. Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some other motive.

Samuel Johnson

Quoted in The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D, by James Boswell

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More information about this quote
Topic
Altruism What motivates people Motivation
Speaker
Samuel Johnson

Author

James Boswell
Source
The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D
Genre
Biography
Language
English
Time
1776 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Johnson, Samuel. Quoted in journal entry, written by James Boswell. 26 Apr. 1776.

Current Citation

Johnson, Samuel. Quoted in The Life of Samuel Johnson, written by James Boswell, edited by David Womersley. Penguin Classics, 2008.

Another quote from Age of Enlightenment

A state without some means of change is without the means of its own conservation.

Edmund Burke

Reflections on the Revolution in France

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More information about this quote
Topic
Seeds of revolution Revolution Political gridlock Politics French Revolution

Author

Edmund Burke
Source
Reflections on the Revolution in France
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1790 1790s 18th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Burke, Edmund. Reflections on the Revolution in France. London: James Dodsley, 1790.

Current Citation

Burke, Edmund. "Reflections on the Revolution in France." The Portable Edmund Burke, edited by Isaac Kramnick. Penguin, 2009.