Jacob Dickinson
@jjldickinson.bsky.social
I’m posting some evocative quotes from Edward Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” Pagination is from the 1946 Heritage Press edition (the prettiest affordable one, IMO).
Thanks to users on my “Storytellers” list.
Thanks to users on my “Storytellers” list.
Reposted by Jacob Dickinson
when u see a book about a penguin with two dads
December 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
when u see a book about a penguin with two dads
[Immigrants replenish the Roman population:] But, when the prodigal commons had imprudently alienated not only the _use_, but the _inheritance_, of power, they sunk, under the reign of the Caesars, into a vile and wretched populace which must, in a few generations, have been totally extinguished,
December 13, 2025 at 7:01 AM
[Immigrants replenish the Roman population:] But, when the prodigal commons had imprudently alienated not only the _use_, but the _inheritance_, of power, they sunk, under the reign of the Caesars, into a vile and wretched populace which must, in a few generations, have been totally extinguished,
[Extreme concentration of wealth:] The lands of Italy, which had been originally divided among the families of free and indigent proprietors, were insensibly purchased or usurped by the avarice of the nobles;
December 13, 2025 at 6:51 AM
[Extreme concentration of wealth:] The lands of Italy, which had been originally divided among the families of free and indigent proprietors, were insensibly purchased or usurped by the avarice of the nobles;
Includes such gems as:
have you ever noticed that every time the cultists wants to show an image of Dear Leader helping someone, it has to be ginned up by AI?
hey MAGA — why don’t you show a real photo of Donny being helpful? oh that’s right: there aren’t any.
have you ever noticed that every time the cultists wants to show an image of Dear Leader helping someone, it has to be ginned up by AI?
hey MAGA — why don’t you show a real photo of Donny being helpful? oh that’s right: there aren’t any.
it's time for "this week in stupid: December 6 edition," my every-Saturday round-up of the dumbest fucking shit that happened.
Donny Convict wears it, Kash Patel snares it, and so much more...
thanks for reading, and please sign up for my daily newsletter to keep getting the good stuff —
Donny Convict wears it, Kash Patel snares it, and so much more...
thanks for reading, and please sign up for my daily newsletter to keep getting the good stuff —
this week in stupid: December 6 edition
Donny Convict wears it, Kash Patel snares it, and so much more...
bit.ly
December 6, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Includes such gems as:
have you ever noticed that every time the cultists wants to show an image of Dear Leader helping someone, it has to be ginned up by AI?
hey MAGA — why don’t you show a real photo of Donny being helpful? oh that’s right: there aren’t any.
have you ever noticed that every time the cultists wants to show an image of Dear Leader helping someone, it has to be ginned up by AI?
hey MAGA — why don’t you show a real photo of Donny being helpful? oh that’s right: there aren’t any.
In populous cities which are the seat of commerce and manufacturing, the middle ranks of inhabitants, who derive their subsistence from the dexterity or labor of their hands, are commonly the most prolific, the most useful,
December 6, 2025 at 4:42 AM
In populous cities which are the seat of commerce and manufacturing, the middle ranks of inhabitants, who derive their subsistence from the dexterity or labor of their hands, are commonly the most prolific, the most useful,
When [Roman nobles] desire to borrow, they employ the base and supplicating style of the slave in the comedy; but, when they are called upon to pay, they assume the royal and tragic declamation of the grandsons of Hercules.
(968) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(968) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
December 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
When [Roman nobles] desire to borrow, they employ the base and supplicating style of the slave in the comedy; but, when they are called upon to pay, they assume the royal and tragic declamation of the grandsons of Hercules.
(968) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(968) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
Reposted by Jacob Dickinson
Musk’s Wealth
2012: $2 billion
2025: $493.8 billion
Bezos’ Wealth
2012: $18.4 billion
2025: $240.9 billion
Zuckerberg’s Wealth
2012: $17.5 billion
2025: $226.9 billion
Federal Minimum Wage
2012: $7.25
2025: $7.25
It’s not the start of an oligarchy. — We’re in the thick of it.
2012: $2 billion
2025: $493.8 billion
Bezos’ Wealth
2012: $18.4 billion
2025: $240.9 billion
Zuckerberg’s Wealth
2012: $17.5 billion
2025: $226.9 billion
Federal Minimum Wage
2012: $7.25
2025: $7.25
It’s not the start of an oligarchy. — We’re in the thick of it.
December 4, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Musk’s Wealth
2012: $2 billion
2025: $493.8 billion
Bezos’ Wealth
2012: $18.4 billion
2025: $240.9 billion
Zuckerberg’s Wealth
2012: $17.5 billion
2025: $226.9 billion
Federal Minimum Wage
2012: $7.25
2025: $7.25
It’s not the start of an oligarchy. — We’re in the thick of it.
2012: $2 billion
2025: $493.8 billion
Bezos’ Wealth
2012: $18.4 billion
2025: $240.9 billion
Zuckerberg’s Wealth
2012: $17.5 billion
2025: $226.9 billion
Federal Minimum Wage
2012: $7.25
2025: $7.25
It’s not the start of an oligarchy. — We’re in the thick of it.
The prospect of gain will urge a rich and gouty senator as far as Spoleto; every sentiment of arrogance and dignity is subdued by the hopes of an inheritance, or even of a legacy; and a wealthy, childless citizen is the most powerful of the Romans.
(968) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(968) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
December 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The prospect of gain will urge a rich and gouty senator as far as Spoleto; every sentiment of arrogance and dignity is subdued by the hopes of an inheritance, or even of a legacy; and a wealthy, childless citizen is the most powerful of the Romans.
(968) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(968) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
Reposted by Jacob Dickinson
[S] The search for Hegseth's successor is OVER...
Drunk raccoon found passed out on liquor store floor after breaking in
Drunk raccoon found passed out on liquor store floor after breaking in
The intoxicated animal suffered no injuries and was released back into the wild by animal protection once sober.
www.bbc.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:06 PM
[S] The search for Hegseth's successor is OVER...
…[T]he light and frivolous suspicion of a contagious malady is of sufficient weight to excuse the visits of the most intimate friends; and even the servants who are dispatched to make the decent inquiries are not suffered to return home till they have undergone the ceremony of a previous ablution.
December 1, 2025 at 6:13 PM
…[T]he light and frivolous suspicion of a contagious malady is of sufficient weight to excuse the visits of the most intimate friends; and even the servants who are dispatched to make the decent inquiries are not suffered to return home till they have undergone the ceremony of a previous ablution.
Reposted by Jacob Dickinson
The head of health services in the United States, letting parasitic lampreys bite his arms for some godforsaken reason.
November 30, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Reposted by Jacob Dickinson
the true reason for the season: as a species, we give thanks for the asteroid that liberated us from the tyranny of the dinosaurs by roasting and eating one of them fuckers.
November 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
the true reason for the season: as a species, we give thanks for the asteroid that liberated us from the tyranny of the dinosaurs by roasting and eating one of them fuckers.
The acquisition of knowledge seldom engages the curiosity of the nobles, who abhor the fatigue and disdain the advantages of study; and the only books which they peruse are the satires of Juvenal, and the verbose and fabulous histories of Marius Maximus.
November 27, 2025 at 5:48 AM
The acquisition of knowledge seldom engages the curiosity of the nobles, who abhor the fatigue and disdain the advantages of study; and the only books which they peruse are the satires of Juvenal, and the verbose and fabulous histories of Marius Maximus.
Reposted by Jacob Dickinson
The alpha wolf concept was debunked by the very guy who coined it because he realized that wolves in the wild are extremely communal and defer to parents for guidance. The “alpha” behavior was observed in captivity and was a terrified and violent male lashing out to feel some sort of control.
idiot guy: i'm like the wolf i'm stalking my prey alone through the forest and being raw as fuck even if i'm in a group i'm the alpha
actual wolf: i love my friends so much!!! i love to romp and kiss my bros and work together as a family <3 awooo etc etc have you seen the puppies oh my god come see
actual wolf: i love my friends so much!!! i love to romp and kiss my bros and work together as a family <3 awooo etc etc have you seen the puppies oh my god come see
November 26, 2025 at 6:40 AM
The alpha wolf concept was debunked by the very guy who coined it because he realized that wolves in the wild are extremely communal and defer to parents for guidance. The “alpha” behavior was observed in captivity and was a terrified and violent male lashing out to feel some sort of control.
When they [the rich] have called for warm water, if a slave has been tardy in his obedience, he is instantly chastised with three hundred lashes: but should the same slave commit wilful murder, the master will mildly observe that he is a worthless fellow;
November 26, 2025 at 7:12 AM
When they [the rich] have called for warm water, if a slave has been tardy in his obedience, he is instantly chastised with three hundred lashes: but should the same slave commit wilful murder, the master will mildly observe that he is a worthless fellow;
Reposted by Jacob Dickinson
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
In the exercise of domestic jurisdiction the nobles of Rome express an exquisite sensibility for any personal injury, and a contemptuous indifference for the rest of the human species.
(966) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(966) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
November 24, 2025 at 8:29 AM
In the exercise of domestic jurisdiction the nobles of Rome express an exquisite sensibility for any personal injury, and a contemptuous indifference for the rest of the human species.
(966) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(966) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
If at any time, but more especially on a hot day, they [the rich] have courage to sail, in their painted galleys, from the Lucrine lake to their elegant villas on the sea-coast of Puteoli and Caieta,
November 23, 2025 at 4:36 AM
If at any time, but more especially on a hot day, they [the rich] have courage to sail, in their painted galleys, from the Lucrine lake to their elegant villas on the sea-coast of Puteoli and Caieta,
Whenever these persons of high distinction condescend to visit the public baths, they assume, on their entrance, a tone of loud and insolent command, and appropriate to their own use the conveniencies which were designed for the Roman people.
(965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
November 23, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Whenever these persons of high distinction condescend to visit the public baths, they assume, on their entrance, a tone of loud and insolent command, and appropriate to their own use the conveniencies which were designed for the Roman people.
(965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
Their long robes of silk and purple float in the wind; and, as they are agitated, by art or accident, they occasionally discover the under garments, the rich tunics, embroidered with the figures of various animals.
(965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Their long robes of silk and purple float in the wind; and, as they are agitated, by art or accident, they occasionally discover the under garments, the rich tunics, embroidered with the figures of various animals.
(965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
The _carrucae_, or coaches, of the Romans were often of solid silver, curiously carved and engraved; and the trappings of the mules or horses were embossed with gold. This magnificence continued from the reign of Nero to that of Honorius; and the Appian way was covered with the splendid equipages
November 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The _carrucae_, or coaches, of the Romans were often of solid silver, curiously carved and engraved; and the trappings of the mules or horses were embossed with gold. This magnificence continued from the reign of Nero to that of Honorius; and the Appian way was covered with the splendid equipages
From a vain ambition of perpetuating their memory, they affect to multiply their likeness in statues of bronze and marble; nor are they satisfied unless those statues are covered with plates of gold….
(964-965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(964-965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
November 21, 2025 at 1:43 AM
From a vain ambition of perpetuating their memory, they affect to multiply their likeness in statues of bronze and marble; nor are they satisfied unless those statues are covered with plates of gold….
(964-965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
(964-965) #edwardgibbon #declineandfall
Reposted by Jacob Dickinson
Taking "ha-ha bitches, I got a new scooter" energy into everything now.
I’m howling.
November 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Taking "ha-ha bitches, I got a new scooter" energy into everything now.
…Rome was still adored as the queen of the earth, and the subject nations still reverenced the name of the people and the majesty of the senate. But this native splendour…is degraded and sullied by the conduct of some nobles;
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 AM
…Rome was still adored as the queen of the earth, and the subject nations still reverenced the name of the people and the majesty of the senate. But this native splendour…is degraded and sullied by the conduct of some nobles;
The judicious reader will not always approve the asperity of censure, the choice of circumstances, or the style of expression; he will perhaps detect the latent prejudices and personal resentments which soured the temper of Ammianus himself; but he will surely observe, with philosophic curiosity,
November 20, 2025 at 7:04 AM
The judicious reader will not always approve the asperity of censure, the choice of circumstances, or the style of expression; he will perhaps detect the latent prejudices and personal resentments which soured the temper of Ammianus himself; but he will surely observe, with philosophic curiosity,