The Makers of Modern Rome, in Four BooksOliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)
History
The Makers of Modern Rome, in Four Books
Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)
Rome (Italy) -- History -- 476-1420
The strong recoil of human nature from those fatal elements which time
after time have threatened the destruction of all society is one of
the noblest things in history, as it is one of the most divine in
life. There are evidences that it exists even in the most wicked
individuals, and it very evidently comes uppermost in every
commonwealth from century to century to save again and again from
utter debasement a community or a nation. When depravity becomes the
rule instead of the exception, and sober principle appears on the
point of yielding altogether to the whirl of folly or the thirst of
self-indulgence, then it may always be expected that some ember of
divine indignation, some thrill of high disgust with the miserable
satisfactions of the world will kindle in one quarter or another and
set light to a thousand smouldering tires over all the face of the
earth. It is one of the highest evidences of that charter of our being
which is our most precious possession, the reflection of that image of
God which amid all degradations still holds its place in human nature,
and will not be destroyed. We may mourn indeed that so short a span of
centuries had so effaced the recollection of the brightest light that
ever shone among men, as to make the extravagance of a human revulsion
and revolution necessary in order to preserve and restore the better
life of Christendom. At the same time it is our salvation as a race
that such revolutions, however imperfect they may be in themselves,
are sure to come.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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