History is philosophy from examples.
Dionysius of Halicarnassus c. 60 - 7 BC
c. 60 - 7 BC
Entire Collection
What a misfortune it is to be born a woman!...Why seek for knowledge, which can prove only that our wretchedness is irremediable? If a ray of light break in upon us, it is but to make darkness more visible; to show us the new limits, the Gothic structure, the impenetrable barriers of our prison.
Maria Edgeworth 1768 - 1849
1768 - 1849
Every act of courage is the work of an unbalanced man. Animals, normal by definition, are always cowardly except when they know themselves to be stronger, which is cowardice itself.
1911 - 1995
Drawn and Quartered (1983)
No poet or novelist wishes he were the only one who ever lived, but most of them wish they were the only one alive, and quite a number fondly believe their wish has been granted.
W. H. Auden 1907 - 1973
1907 - 1973
I had jumped.' He checked himself, averted his gaze… 'It seems,' he added.
1857 - 1924
Lord Jim
In order to eat, you have to be hungry. In order to learn, you have to be ignorant. Ignorance is a condition of learning. Pain is a condition of health. Passion is a condition of thought. Death is a condition of life.
1932 - 2007
Leviathan
There is a great deal of difference in believing something still, and believing it again.
W. H. Auden 1907 - 1973
1907 - 1973
Every hero becomes a bore at last.
Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803 - 1882
1803 - 1882
One cannot see the modern world as it is unless one recognises the overwhelming strength of patriotism, national loyalty. In certain circumstances it can break down, at certain levels of civilisation it does not exist, but as a positive force there is nothing to set beside it. Christianity and international Socialism are as weak as straw in comparison with it. Hitler and Mussolini rose to power in their own countries very largely because they could grasp this fact and their opponents could not.
1903 - 1950
The Lion and the Unicorn (1941)
No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.
David Attenborough born 1926
born 1926
People once blamed or thanked God for everything that happened beyond their control. Now we blame or thank Government instead
Peter Hitchens born 1951
born 1951
A very large part of space-time must be investigated, if reliable results are to be obtained.
Alan Turing 1912 - 1954
1912 - 1954
The idea behind digital computers may be explained by saying that these machines are intended to carry out any operations which could be done by a human computer.
Alan Turing 1912 - 1954
1912 - 1954
A stitch in time would have confused Einstein.
Historic changes and challenges. Breakthroughs in human knowledge and opportunity. And yet, for vast numbers across the globe, the daily realities have not altered.
Abdullah II of Jordan born 1962
born 1962
Science is a differential equation. Religion is a boundary condition.
Alan Turing 1912 - 1954
1912 - 1954
When the wine is in, the wit is out.
Thomas Beccon c. 1511 - 1567
c. 1511 - 1567
Love is only one of many passions.
Samuel Johnson 1709 - 1784
1709 - 1784
If you were surprised when Nixon resigned, just watch what happens when I whup Foreman's behind!
1942 - 2016
Comment prior to the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ (30 October 1974)
He more had pleased us, had he pleased us less.
Joseph Addison 1672 - 1719
referring to Cowley : Knowles, E. (1999). The Oxford dictionary of quotations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
1672 - 1719
referring to Cowley : Knowles, E. (1999). The Oxford dictionary of quotations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
London; a nation, not a city.
Benjamin Disraeli 1804 - 1881
1804 - 1881
It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.
David Attenborough born 1926
born 1926
Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.
James Allen 1864 - 1912
1864 - 1912
A very merry, dancing, drinking, Laughing, quaffing, and unthinking time.
John Dryden 1631 - 1700
1631 - 1700
God and I both knew what it meant once; now God alone knows.
god only knows' : attributed Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
god only knows' : attributed Oxford Dictionary of Quotations