That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.
Paul ValeryRead
History is the most dangerous product evolved from the chemistry of the intellect. ...History will justify anything. It teaches precisely nothing, for it contains everything and furnishes examples of everything.
Interpretation
What this quote means
History is complex and can be interpreted in many ways, often justifying actions regardless of morality.
This quote by Paul Valery reflects on the intricate nature of history, suggesting that it is not a straightforward teacher but rather a vast repository of human actions and intellect. Valery implies that history's comprehensive nature allows for justifying various actions, good or bad, while it paradoxically offers little in terms of moral lessons, as it encompasses both achievements and failures of humanity.
Themes
HistoryIntellectLessonsMoralityJustification
In practice
Example use cases
In a history class discussion about the actions of historical figures.
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The history of thought may be summed up in these words: it is absurd by what it seeks and great by what it finds.
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The world acquires value only through its extremes and endures only through moderation; extremists make the world great, the moderates give it stability.
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It would be impossible to "love" anyone or anything one knew completely. Love is directed towards what lies hidden in its object.
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You have certainly observed the curious fact that a given word which is perfectly clear when you hear it or use it in everyday language, and which does not give rise to any difficulty when it is engaged in the rapid movement of an ordinary sentence becomes magically embarrassing, introduces a strange resistance, frustrates any effort at definition as soon as you take it out of circulation to examine it separately and look for its meaning after taking away its instantaneous function.
Paul ValeryRead
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