"History is an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools"
- Ambrose Bierce
About this Quote
This quote by Ambrose Bierce is a negative view of history. He recommends that history is an account of events that are mainly incorrect and unimportant. He implies that individuals in power, such as rulers and soldiers, are primarily corrupt and foolish. This quote implies that individuals in power are not constantly wise or noble, and that the occasions that are recorded in history are not always substantial. Bierce's quote is a suggestion that history is frequently written by the victors, which it is necessary to question the precision of the stories that are informed. It is likewise a tip that individuals in power are not always smart or worthy, and that the events that are recorded in history are not constantly substantial. Bierce's quote is a pointer that it is necessary to question the precision of the stories that are told, and to be familiar with the capacity for bias in the telling of 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"
