I know not why any one but a schoolboy in his declamation should whine over the Commonwealth of Rome, which grew great only by the misery of the rest of mankind. The Romans, like others, as soon as they grew rich, grew corrupt; and in their corruption sold the lives and freedoms of themselves, and of one another. Samuel Johnson
About This Quote

This quote also speaks to the fact that we should not place too much weight on the downfall of a great empire. Some people view the fall of Rome as a great tragedy and believe it is evidence of humanity’s inability to rise above the evils of society. However, there were many benefits to the rise and fall of Rome. One such benefit was that it brought new ideas into the world.

Without Rome, we would never have had such great thinkers as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The empire also gave us democracy and even today we can see some of these benefits.

Some Similar Quotes
  1. It’s probably not just by chance that I’m alone. It would be very hard for a man to live with me, unless he’s terribly strong. And if he’s stronger than I, I’m the one who can’t live with him. … I’m neither smart nor stupid,... - Coco Chanel
  2. I am not an angel, ' I asserted; 'and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself. Mr. Rochester, you must neither expect nor exact anything celestial of me - for you will not get it, any more than I shall... - Unknown
  3. The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day. - David Foster Wallace
  4. They say a good love is one that sits you down, gives you a drink of water, and pats you on top of the head. But I say a good love is one that casts you into the wind, sets you ablaze, makes you burn... - C. Joybell C.
  5. Keep your best wishes, close to your heart and watch what happens - Tony Deliso
More Quotes By Samuel Johnson
  1. It is necessary to hope... for hope itself is happiness.
  2. I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.
  3. In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.
  4. Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.
  5. Whoever thou art that, not content with a moderate condition, imaginest happiness in royal magnificence, and dreamest that command or riches can feed the appetite of novelty with perpetual gratifications, survey the Pyramids, and confess thy folly!
Related Topics