Readers will perhaps be familiar with Karl Marx’s famous quip that history repeats itself, “the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce.” (I have referred to it here before.) But just because it is farce doesn’t make it funny.

I was reminded of this when reading Gibbon’s History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire last night. (I’ve mentioned that before here, too.) At present, many politicians claim that they will “defend Democracy” or “defend the Constitution.” I find it frankly shocking that so many people seem to take such pronouncements at face value–as if the mere mouthing of words is some sort of guarantee of their veracity. Much evidence might be marshaled to indicate that the speakers of said words have no intention of doing any such thing as they promise, and in fact are saying the words because they have every intention of doing the opposite; but no matter. The vibes are good. There’s joy.

This sort of legerdemain has happened before, however, and it is to be pitied that people don’t, or don’t want to, know better. Gibbon was on to the whole game back in the late 18th century, and saw right through it. Here he is at the beginning of Chapter 3, Part 2.

The tender respect of Augustus for a free constitution which he had destroyed, can only be explained by an attentive consideration of the character of that subtle tyrant. A cool head, an unfeeling heart, and a cowardly disposition, prompted him at the age of nineteen to assume the mask of hypocrisy, which he never afterwards laid aside. With the same hand, and probably with the same temper, he signed the proscription of Cicero, and the pardon of Cinna. His virtues, and even his vices, were artificial; and according to the various dictates of his interest, he was at first the enemy, and at last the father, of the Roman world. When he framed the artful system of the Imperial authority, his moderation was inspired by his fears. He wished to deceive the people by an image of civil liberty, and the armies by an image of civil government.

“But Augustus said he would defend Democracy! He loves Rights and Freedom and the Constitution! He used all the words!”

If I could wish one thing for my fellow citizens in 2024, it would be a lot more political skepticism all around. But it may be that Thucydides is right, and we will keep making, if not the same, then similar mistakes–over and over and over again.

If so, at least we have the pure prose of Gibbon to keep us company.