But this inestimable privilege was soon violated: with the knowledge of truth the emperor imbibed the maxims of persecution; and the sects which dissented from the catholic church were afflicted and oppressed by the triumph of Christianity. Constantine easily believed that the heretics, who presumed to dispute his opinions or to oppose his commands, were guilty of the most absurd and criminal obstinacy; and that a seasonable application of moderate severities might save those unhappy men from the danger of an everlasting condemnation.

[Every age], however destitute of science or virtue, sufficiently abounds with acts of blood and military renown.

Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.

I will not dissemble the first emotions of joy on the recovery of my freedom, and, perhaps, the establishment of my fame. But my pride was soon humbled, and a sober melancholy was spread over my mind, by the idea that I had taken an everlasting leave of an old and agreeable companion, and that whatsoever might be the future date of my History, the life of the historian must be short and precarious.

The style of an author should be the image of his mind, but the choice and command of language is the fruit of exercise.

But the works of man are impotent against the assaults of nature . . .

It was no longer esteemed infamous for a Roman to survive his honor and independence.