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About this quote

What does it mean?
History often records only suffering and wrongdoing, not virtue.
In plain terms
History is mostly a picture of crimes and tragedies.
What can you take from it?
History highlights human failure more than success.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • education
  • cultural reflection

Putting it to work

  • seek diverse historical records
  • teach history critically

Questions to consider

  • Why do we remember tragedy?
  • Is history biased toward negativity?

Another view

History also includes progress and heroism.

More from Voltaire

  1. J'ai toujours fait une priere a Dieu, qui est fort courte. La voici: Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules! Dieu m'a exauce.

    Permalink to quote #40
  2. Un bon mot ne prouve rien.

    Permalink to quote #42
  3. Ou est le prince assez instruit pour savoir que depuis dix-sept cents ans la secte chretienne n'a jamais fait que du mal?

    Permalink to quote #39

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