Most history is a record of the triumphs, disasters, and follies of top people. The black hole in it is read more

Most history is a record of the triumphs, disasters, and follies of top people. The black hole in it is the way of life of mute, inglorious men and women who make no nuisance of themselves in the world.

People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.

People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.

History never looks like history when you are living through it. It always looks confusing and messy, and it always read more

History never looks like history when you are living through it. It always looks confusing and messy, and it always feels uncomfortable.

90% of my time is spent on 10% of the world.

90% of my time is spent on 10% of the world.

There are people who read too much: bibliobibuli. I know some who are constantly drunk on books, as other men read more

There are people who read too much: bibliobibuli. I know some who are constantly drunk on books, as other men are drunk on whiskey or religion. They wander through this most diverting and stimulating of worlds in a haze, seeing nothing and hearing nothing.

They were afraid, never having learned what I taught myself: Defeat the fear of death and welcome the death of read more

They were afraid, never having learned what I taught myself: Defeat the fear of death and welcome the death of fear.

History shows that there are no invincible armies.

History shows that there are no invincible armies.

Masses are always breeding grounds of psychic epidemics.

Masses are always breeding grounds of psychic epidemics.

All history . . . is an inarticulate Bible.

All history . . . is an inarticulate Bible.