All will come through, not a single soul (jiva) shall be lost.
Sri Nisargadatta MaharajRead
The older I get the more I'm convinced that it's the purpose of politicians and journalists to say the world is very simple, whereas it's the purpose of historians to say, 'No! It's very complicated.' _x000D_ _x000D_ The job of the historian is to help give people a sense of existence in time, without which we are really not fully human.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the complexity of understanding the world as opposed to oversimplified narratives provided by politicians and journalists.
David Cannadine's quote suggests that while politicians and journalists often reduce complex issues to simple messages for clarity and persuasion, historians unveil the intricate realities of our past that shape our present and future. This deeper understanding enriches our sense of identity and humanity, as it connects us to the broader narrative of history and existence.
Themes
HistoryComplexityUnderstandingHumanityNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of education, one could use this quote to highlight the role of historians in understanding our complex world.
Similar quotes
I think doctors care very deeply about their patients, but when they organize into the AMA, their responsibility is to the welfare of doctors, and quite often, these lobbying groups are the only ones that are heard in the state capitols and in the capitol of our country.
Jimmy CarterRead
I don't care much for facts, am not much interested in them, you can't stand a fact up, you've got to prop it up, and when you move to one side a little and look at it from that angle, it's not thick enough to cast a shadow in that direction.
William FaulknerRead
The battle between good and evil is endlessly fascinating because we are participants every day.
Stephen KingRead
Living is merely the chaos of existence.
Yukio MishimaRead
The baby looks at things all day without winking; that is because his eyes are not focused on any particular object. He goes without knowing where he is going, and stops without knowing what he is doing. He merges himself within the surroundings and moves along with it. These are the principles of mental hygiene.
ZhuangziRead