"History does nothing; it does not possess immense riches, it does not fight battles. It is men, real, living, who do all this"
- Karl Marx
About this Quote
This quote by Karl Marx emphasizes the significance of individual human agency in shaping history. In this statement, Marx argues that history is not some abstract force that acts upon its own however rather the outcome of the actions of genuine people within a specific social and economic context. Marx is recommending that historical events are not predetermined or unavoidable, however rather formed by the choices and actions of people who occupy and influence these occasions. Basically, Marx is asserting that people, not occasions or systems, are the true representatives of modification in history.
"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"
