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About this quote

What does it mean?
History is often shaped by collective agreement rather than objective facts.
In plain terms
What we call history is just a story everyone agrees to believe.
What can you take from it?
Be critical of accepted historical narratives.

Where it applies

  • studying past events
  • debating historical facts
  • writing history books

Putting it to work

  • verify sources
  • seek multiple perspectives
  • question popular accounts

Questions to consider

  • How much of history is interpretation?
  • Can objective history exist?

Another view

Some historical events are documented with undeniable evidence.

More from Napoleon Bonaparte

  1. Those who are free from common prejudices acquire others.

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  2. A constitution should be framed so as not to impede the action of government, nor force the government to its violation.

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  3. More glorious to merit a sceptre than to possess one.

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