"Each age tries to form its own conception of the past. Each age writes the history of the past anew with reference to the conditions uppermost in its own time"
- Frederick Jackson Turner
About this Quote
This quote by Frederick Jackson Turner recommends that each generation has its own special viewpoint on the past. This perspective is shaped by the conditions and values of the time duration in which it exists. As such, each generation rewords the history of the past in order to understand it in the context of their own lives. This is why history is frequently seen as a subjective interpretation of the past, as it is constantly being reinterpreted and reworded by each generation. This quote also implies that the past is not fixed, but rather is constantly being reinterpreted and reshaped by the present. This is why it is important to consider the context of the time duration when studying history, as it can offer insight into how the past was analyzed and comprehended by those who lived it.
"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"
"It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do"
