Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Howard Zinn

Quote by Howard Zinn

“History can come in handy. If you were born yesterday, with no knowledge of the past, you might easily accept whatever the government tells you. But knowing a bit of history--while it would not absolutely prove the government was lying in a given instance--might make you skeptical, lead you to ask questions, make it more likely that you would find out the truth.”

Quote by Howard Zinn

Create image

Author

Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn

American historian known for his critical analysis of historical events and advocacy for social justice. His work emphasizes the connection between history and contemporary social issues, particularly focusing on the role of ordinary people in the historical process. more

You May Also Like

“That chain of relationships made me think of how connections are made--you read a book, you meet a person, you have a single experience, and your life is changed in some way. No act, therefore, however small, should be dismissed or ignored.”

ThinkingWayShouldPersonsMadeBookLife IsChangedConnectionsChainsIgnored
Book:You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times
Create image

“But human beings are not machines, and however powerful the pressure to conform, they sometimes are so moved by what they see as injustice that they dare to declare their independence. In that historical possibility lies hope.”

HumansSometimesLyingHuman BeingsPowerfulPossibilityMachinesPressureIndependenceMovedHistoricalInjusticeDareConformityConform
Book:You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times
Create image

“I've always resented the smug statements of politicians, media commentators, corporate executives who talked of how, in America, if you worked hard you would become rich. The meaning of that was if you were poor it was because you hadn't worked hard enough. I knew this was a lite, about my father and millions of others, men and women who worked harder than anyone, harder than financiers and politicians, harder than anybody if you accept that when you work at an unpleasant job that makes it very hard work indeed.”

IfsMenHardEnoughJobsAmericaFatherPoorAcceptingMillionsRichMediaHard WorkPoliticianMen And WomenHarderStatementsCorporateExecutivesCommentatorsBecome RichFinanciers
Author:Howard Zinn
Create image

“Human beings, whatever their backgrounds, are more open than we think, that their behavior cannot be confidently predicted from their past, that we are all creatures vulnerable to new thoughts, new attitudes. And while such vulnerability creates all sorts of possibilities, both good and bad, its very existence is exciting. It means that no human being should be written off, no change in thinking deemed impossible.”

ThinkingShouldHumansMeanPastHuman BeingsExistenceAttitudeImpossibleWrittenPossibilityCreaturesBehaviorExcitingBackgroundsVulnerableVulnerabilityGood And BadNew ThoughtNew Attitude
Book:The Zinn Reader: Writings on Disobedience and Democracy
Create image

“When we are passionately in love with our Prince, we put Him above all else--not just in theory, but also practically, in every moment of our day-to-day lives. We do not live for the applause of heaven. Our longings are not for people's approval but only for more and more of Him. We are marked by an effortless, unshakable strength that is found in the presence of our perfect Lover.”

PeopleMomentsInspirationChristianFoundHeavenPerfectTheoryLoversLongingApprovalDay To DayApplauseEffortlessDay LifeUnshakableDay To Day LifePerfect Lover
Author:Leslie Ludy
Create image