If a man could say nothing against a character but what he can prove, history could not be written. ~People Magazine, 1988
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The quote suggests that history relies on unproven claims because absolute proof for every character judgment is impossible.
- In plain terms
- History can only be written if we accept unproven statements about people.
- What can you take from it?
- History depends on accepting claims that cannot be fully proven.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is all history truly factual?
- How do we judge historical figures?
Another view
Relying on unproven claims can lead to historical inaccuracies.
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