It is not the literal past, the "facts" of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in read more

It is not the literal past, the "facts" of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in language.

The past is really almost as much a work of the imagination as the future.

The past is really almost as much a work of the imagination as the future.

Any event, once it has occurred, can be made to appear inevitable by a competent historian.

Any event, once it has occurred, can be made to appear inevitable by a competent historian.

More history is made by secret handshakes than by battles, bills, and proclamations.

More history is made by secret handshakes than by battles, bills, and proclamations.

Everybody knows there is no fineness or accuracy of suppression; if you hold down one thing, you hold down the read more

Everybody knows there is no fineness or accuracy of suppression; if you hold down one thing, you hold down the adjoining.

It has been said that although God cannot alter the past, historians can --it is perhaps because they can be read more

It has been said that although God cannot alter the past, historians can --it is perhaps because they can be useful to Him in this respect that He tolerates their existence.

We will hereafter believe less history than ever, now that we have seen how it is made.

We will hereafter believe less history than ever, now that we have seen how it is made.

What most impresses us about great jurists is not their tenacious grasps of fine points, honed almost to invisibility; it read more

What most impresses us about great jurists is not their tenacious grasps of fine points, honed almost to invisibility; it is the moment when we are suddently aware of the sweep and direction of the law, and its place in the lives of men.

And history with all her volumes vast,
Hath but one page.

And history with all her volumes vast,
Hath but one page.