"A man acquainted with history may, in some respect, be said to have lived from the beginning of the world, and to have been making continual additions to his stock of knowledge in every century"
- David Hume
About this Quote
This quote by David Hume recommends that a person who is educated in history has a distinct point of view on the world. By studying the past, they can get a greater understanding of today. Through this knowledge, they can gain insight into the events that have actually formed the world and the people in it. This knowledge can also provide them with a greater appreciation for the development that has actually been made over time. By understanding the past, they can better comprehend today and prepare for the future. In this way, a person who is knowledgeable in history can acquire a greater understanding of the world and its individuals.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"