The significance of man is that he is insignificant and is aware of it.
Carl L. BeckerRead
All historical writing, even the most honest, is unconsciously subjective, since every age is bound, in spite of itself, to make the dead perform whatever tricks it finds necessary for its own peace of mind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Historical writing is influenced by the present, making it subjective despite attempts at honesty.
This quote by Carl L. Becker suggests that all historical writing carries inherent subjectivity, as writers from any era project their contemporary views and needs onto the past. Even the most earnest historians are unable to escape this influence, as they unconsciously shape historical narratives to suit their own understanding and desires for comfort or validation, thereby turning the actions and intentions of the dead into something that aligns with the present.
Themes
HistorySubjectivityWritingPerspectiveNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
Referencing this quote in a lecture about historiography to discuss biases in historical narratives.
More from Carl L. Becker
All quotes →The value of history is, indeed, not scientific but moral: by liberalizing the mind, by deepening the sympathies, by fortifying the will, it enables us to control, not society, but ourselves - a much more important thing; it prepares us to live more humanely in the present and to meet rather than to foretell the future.
Carl L. BeckerRead
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