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Shawords

Quote#Freedom

A warlike nation like the Germans, without either cities, letters,…

Quote byEdward Gibbon · 1737–1794

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776–1788), Chap. 9..

English (original)

A warlike nation like the Germans, without either cities, letters, arts, or money, found some compensation for this savage state in the enjoyment of liberty. Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism.

— Edward Gibbon

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