The only history is a mere question of one's struggle inside oneself. But that is the joy of it. One need neither discover Americas nor conquer nations, and yet one has as great a work as Columbus or Alexander, to do.

Imagination is always the fabric of social life and the dynamic of history. The influence of real needs and compulsions, of real interests and materials, is indirect because the crowd is never conscious of it.

I think documentaries are the greatest way to educate an entire generation that doesn't often look back to learn anything about the history that provided a safe haven for so many of us today.

The greatest honor history can bestow is that of peacemaker.

Every literary critic believes he will outwit history and have the last word.

Of all the species of literary composition, perhaps biography is the most delightful. The attention concentrated on one individual gives a unity to the materials of which it is composed, which is wanting in general history.

A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect.

Once you get into this great stream of history, you can't get out.

The true history of my administration will be written 50 years from now, and you and I will not be around to see it.

The history of all countries shows that the working class exclusively by its own effort is able to develop only trade-union consciousness.