It made me wonder if perhaps our ancestors' crimes were not in fact far more terrible than they claimed. After all, the only histories we possessed told their version of what happened, and in their accounts they were completely innocent. But aren't all monstrous criminals innocent in their own eyes? Don't all their victims somehow deserve to die, in their imagination at least?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- History is written by victors who claim innocence while their victims are judged guilty in their minds.
- In plain terms
- History says winners are innocent but victims often deserve death in their imaginations.
- What can you take from it?
- Question historical narratives that present one side as purely innocent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who wrote the history you read?
- Are victors always innocent?
Another view
Assuming all criminals see themselves as innocent may oversimplify psychology.
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