History is not another name for the past, as many people imply. It is the name for stories about the read more

History is not another name for the past, as many people imply. It is the name for stories about the past.

The lessons of history? There are four: The bee fertilizes the flower it robs; whom the gods would destroy they read more

The lessons of history? There are four: The bee fertilizes the flower it robs; whom the gods would destroy they first make mad with power; the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small; when it is dark enough, you can see the stars.

Ev'n wit's a burthen, when it talks too long.

Ev'n wit's a burthen, when it talks too long.

I haven't, in the 23 years that I have been in the uniformed services of the United States of America, read more

I haven't, in the 23 years that I have been in the uniformed services of the United States of America, ever violated an order - not one.

The first qualification for a historian is to have no ability to invent.

The first qualification for a historian is to have no ability to invent.

Many are always praising the by-gone time, for it is natural that the old should extol the days of their read more

Many are always praising the by-gone time, for it is natural that the old should extol the days of their youth; the weak, the time of their strength; the sick, the season of their vigor; and the disappointed, the spring-tide of their hopes.

Wit is a sword; it is meant to make people feel the point as well as see it.

Wit is a sword; it is meant to make people feel the point as well as see it.

The man who sees two or three generations is like someone who sits in a conjurer's booth at a fair read more

The man who sees two or three generations is like someone who sits in a conjurer's booth at a fair and sees the tricks two or three times. They are meant to be seen only once.

The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice.

The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice.