"Skepticism is a virtue in history as well as in philosophy"
- Napoleon Bonaparte
About this Quote
This quote by Napoleon Bonaparte recommends that uncertainty is an essential quality to have when studying history and viewpoint. Skepticism is the practice of questioning and questioning accepted beliefs and theories. In the context of history, it is necessary to be skeptical of the sources and details that is presented. This is due to the fact that history is typically written by the victors, and can be prejudiced or incomplete. Similarly, in philosophy, it is very important to be hesitant of the concepts and theories that exist. This is since philosophical ideas are frequently complicated and available to interpretation. By being skeptical, we can guarantee that we are not taking any ideas at face value, and rather are seriously assessing them. In conclusion, Napoleon Bonaparte's quote suggests that skepticism is an important quality to have when studying history and approach.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"
