Considering the avowed purpose of his work, which is rather hortatory than historical, we are fortunate indeed to be given so much first-hand information by this embittered preacher.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The work, though hortatory, provides valuable first‑hand information from a bitter preacher.
- In plain terms
- Despite its agenda, the text offers useful contemporary insight.
- What can you take from it?
- Even biased sources can contain valuable data.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can we separate fact from polemic?
- When should we trust such sources?
Another view
The bitterness may color the facts presented.
More from Gildas
Gildas's On the Ruin of Britain is not an attempt at a reasoned account of his times: it is...a brilliant vitriolic diatribe on the wickedness of all things Br…
Permalink to quote #7 Prae aliis itaque Britanniae scriptoribus, solus mihi Gildas...imitabilis esse videtur.
Permalink to quote #9 Tum erumpens grex catulorum de cubili laeanae barbarae, tribus, ut lingua eius exprimitur, cyulis, nostra longis navibus.
Permalink to quote #6
Related quotes
It is impossible to write ancient history because we do not have enough sources and impossible to write modern history because we have too many.
Charles PeguyCharles Peguy quote #2 A man's memory is bound to be a distortion of his past in accordance with his present interests, and the most faithful autobiography is likely to mirror less w…
Fawn BrodieFawn Brodie quote #3 Each one writes history according to his convenience.
Jose RizalJose Rizal quote #5