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It is like writing history with lightning and my only regret is that it is all so terribly true.
Woodrow Wilson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects the swift and impactful nature of events that shape history, with a sense of regret for their harsh reality.

Woodrow Wilson's quote suggests that significant historical events often occur rapidly and with immense force, much like a lightning strike. He conveys a sense of sorrow or regret that these events are not just stories or myths, but rather painful truths that encapsulate the complexities and struggles of the human experience. Through this metaphor, Wilson emphasizes the seriousness and immediacy of these historical moments.

Themes

HistoryTruthImpactRegretEvents

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a documentary about historical events to emphasize their profound impact.

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Since trade ignores national boundaries and the manufacturer insists on having the world as a market, the flag of his nation must follow him, and the doors of the nations which are closed against him must be battered down. Concessions obtained by financiers must be safeguarded by ministers of state, even if the sovereignty of unwilling nations be outraged in the process. Colonies must be obtained or planted, in order that no useful corner of the world may be overlooked or left unused.
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Once lead this people into war, and they'll forget there ever was such a thing as tolerance. To fight, you must be brutal and ruthless, and the spirit of ruthless brutality will enter into the very fiber of our national life, infecting Congress, the courts, the policeman on the beat, the man in the street.
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