History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.

A land without ruins is a land without memories--a land without memories is a land without history.

A land without ruins is a land without memories--a land without memories is a land without history.

Nothing is improbable until it moves into past tense.

Nothing is improbable until it moves into past tense.

True enough, the country is calm. Calm as a morgue or a grave, would you not say?

True enough, the country is calm. Calm as a morgue or a grave, would you not say?

It often happens that those of whom we speak least on earth are best known in heaven.

It often happens that those of whom we speak least on earth are best known in heaven.

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.

Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.

Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these.

In a certain sense all men are historians.

In a certain sense all men are historians.

The past is a work of art, free of irrelevancies and loose ends.

The past is a work of art, free of irrelevancies and loose ends.