"I shall cheerfully bear the reproach of having descended below the dignity of history if I can succeed in placing before the English of the nineteenth century a true picture of the life of their ancestors"

This quote by Thomas B. Macaulay speaks with his dedication to accurately portray the lives of the English individuals in the nineteenth century. He is willing to accept any criticism that may come his method for not adhering to the requirements of history, if it suggests that he can supply a true and precise representation of the lives of his ancestors. Macaulay is emphasizing the importance of comprehending the past in order to much better understand the present. He is suggesting that by comprehending the lives of our ancestors, we can get a much better understanding of our own lives and the world we reside in. Macaulay's quote is a reminder of the value of history and the need to properly portray the past in order to gain a much better understanding of today.