Quotes on History

The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders...tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.

In its Greek origins, historia meant inquiry, and from Thucydides onwards, the past has been studied to understand its connections with the present.

It's not about the past; it's about knowing your history so that you can fight in the present. Otherwise, you don't know who the real enemy is, what the real issue is, because it had been covered by many layers of bad information, of lies, and manipulation.

In analysing history do not be too profound, for often the causes are quite superficial.

Jewish history turns out not to be an either/or story - as in, either pure Judaism detached from its surroundings or else assimilation - but rather, for the vast majority, the adventure of living in between.

The struggle of today is not altogether for today - it is for a vast future also.

Keeping books on social aid is capitalistic nonsense. I just use the money for the poor. I can't stop to count it.

One always pulls the trigger out of self-interest and quotes history to avoid responsibility or pangs of conscience.

Every major horror of history was committed in the name of an altruistic motive. Has any act of selfishness ever equalled the carnage perpetrated by disciples of altruism.

True there has been more talk of peace since 1945 than, I should think, at any other time in history. At least we hear more and read more about it because man's words, for good or ill, can now so easily reach the millions.

History is, strictly speaking, the study of questions; the study of answers belongs to anthropology and sociology.

It was a Greek tragedy. Nixon was fulfilling his own nature. Once it started it could not end otherwise.

No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent.

For 179 years [The Book of Mormon] has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other religious history – perhaps like no other book in any religious history- and still, it stands.

Music is the best means we have of digesting time.

Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and women everywhere, we have learned - it is only through seriousness of purpose and persistence that we ultimately carry the day. We might liken it to riding a bicycle. You stay upright and move forward so long as you keep up the momentum.

I think we may class the lawyer in the natural history of monsters.

The March on Washington was a defining moment in the history of this country and a great example of our nation truly living up to its creed.

War is a crucial, deeply ingrained part of human history. It has to be understood.

You can't write about history without writing about politics at some point. History is about movements of people. 'What is criminality and what is government' is a theme that runs through every history.

History is a string full of knots, the best you can do is admire it, and maybe tie it up a bit more. History is a hammock for swinging and a game for playing.