“That historians should give their own country a break, I grant you; but not so as to state things contrary to fact. For there are plenty of mistakes made by writers out of ignorance, and which any man finds it difficult to avoid. But if we knowingly write what is false, whether for the sake of our country or our friends or just to be pleasant, what difference is there between us and hack writers? Readers should be very attentive to and critical of historians, and they in turn should be constantly on their guard.”
Quote by Polybius
Author
Polybius
Polybius, born in 203 BC and died in 120 BC, was a Greek politician and historian. He is renowned for his studies on political systems and detailed records of historical events. Polybius was born in Megara and studied under the famous politician Lysias. In politics, he held important positions in Sparta and served as an ambassador to Rome. His most famous work is the 'Histories', which provides a detailed account of the Greek and Roman wars from 264 BC to 146 BC, and has had a profound impact on historical research. He also proposed the theory of mixed government, which suggests that it is the best form of government. more
You May Also Like
“Every past is worth condemning.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche (Illustrated): Friedrich Nietzsche
Source: History, Frontier, and Section: Three Essays
“I think the most un-American thing you can say is, 'You can't say that.'”
“I really hope someday in Hollywood, some producer or director will hire me only to do drama.”