Gibbon quote(s) of the day. May 20.

The first one is merely part of a sentence– but I love it, wish I could use it, and can’t foresee any situation in life in which I might be able to say it:

“He drove back the Franks into their morasses…”

Here’s a passage of more standard length, on the emperor Gallienus, with a history-of-philosophy twist:

“In every act that he attempted his lively genius enabled him to succeed; and, as his genius was destitute of judgment, he attempted every art, except the important ones of war and government. He was a master of several curious but useless sciences, a ready orator, an elegant poet, a skillful gardener, an excellent cook, and most contemptible prince. When the great emergencies of the state required his presence and attention, he was engaged in conversation with the philosopher Plotinus…”