The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · ¶268

From the paths of blood (and such is the history of nations) I cannot refuse to turn aside to gather some flowers of science or virtue. The name of Mahmud the Gaznevide is still venerable in the East: his subjects enjoyed the blessings of prosperity and peace; his vices were concealed by the veil of religion; and two familiar examples will testify his justice and magnanimity.

Edward Gibbon · Project Gutenberg #735 (Milman edition) — public domain
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