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Quotes from The Uses and Abuses of History — Margaret MacMillan

born 1943 Canada

← All quotes by Margaret MacMillan

8 quotes

Dictators, perhaps because they know their own lies so well, have usually realized the power of history. Consequently, they have tried to rewrite, deny, or destroy the past.

The Uses and Abuses of History (2008)

Over the years, historians have tried to discern grand patterns, perhaps one grand pattern, that explain everything.

The Uses and Abuses of History (2008)

Lost golden ages can be very effective tools for motivating people in the present.

The Uses and Abuses of History (2008)

Histories that that show past injustices or crimes can be used to argue for redress in the present.

The Uses and Abuses of History (2008)

History does not produce definitive answers for all time. It is a process.

The Uses and Abuses of History (2008)

We have to be careful to cast our gaze as widely as possible. If we only look for the lessons that reinforce decisions we have already made, we will run into trouble.

The Uses and Abuses of History (2008)

Nationalism brought Germany and Italy into being, destroyed Austrio-Hungary, and , more recently, broke apart Yugoslavia. People have suffered and died, and have harmed and killed others, for their 'nation'.

The Uses and Abuses of History (2008)

If history is the judge to which we appeal, then it can also find against us. It can highlight our mistakes by reminding us of those who, at other times, faced similar problems but who made different, perhaps better decisions.

The Uses and Abuses of History (2008)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Margaret MacMillan (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.