History Quotes

In all recorded history there has not been one economist who has had to worry about where the next meal would come from.

Peter Drucke

From the totalitarian point of view, history is something to be created rather than learned.

George Orwell, Essay: "The Prevention of Literature" (1946)

The whole history of civilization is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.

Walter Bagehot

Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishfull thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedoms.

Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers chapter 4

From the beginning of our history the country has been afflicted with compromise. It is by compromise that human rights have been abandoned. I insist that this shall cease. The country needs repose after all its trials; it deserves repose. And repose can only be found in everlasting principles.

Charles Sumne

Well - Behaved women rarely make history.

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

If one looks with a cold eye at the mess man has made of history, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that he has been afflicted by some built - In mental disorder which drives him towards self - Destruction.

Arthur Koestle

For four - Fifths of our history, our planet was populated by pond scum.

J. W. Schopf

What is history but a fable agreed upon.

Napoleon Bonaparte

That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.

Aldous Huxley

History is a nightmare from which we are trying to awaken.

James Joyce