Byker
2015-05-10 22:29:37 UTC
“They delight in sloth, they detest tranquility ... It roused him from his
uncomfortable lethargy, gave him an active pursuit, and, by strong exercise
of the body, and violent emotions of the mind, restored him to a more lively
sense of his existence. In the dull intervals of peace these barbarians were
immoderately addicted to deep gaming and excessive drinking; both of which,
by different means, the one by inflaming their passions, the other by
extinguishing their reason, alike relieved them from the pain of thinking.”
-- Edward Gibbon describing the rude Germanic tribes in "The Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire" (1776)
Exchange black criminality for gaming, and dope for drink, and the analogy
is nearly perfect...
uncomfortable lethargy, gave him an active pursuit, and, by strong exercise
of the body, and violent emotions of the mind, restored him to a more lively
sense of his existence. In the dull intervals of peace these barbarians were
immoderately addicted to deep gaming and excessive drinking; both of which,
by different means, the one by inflaming their passions, the other by
extinguishing their reason, alike relieved them from the pain of thinking.”
-- Edward Gibbon describing the rude Germanic tribes in "The Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire" (1776)
Exchange black criminality for gaming, and dope for drink, and the analogy
is nearly perfect...