The good historian, then, must be thus described: he must…
““The good historian, then, must be thus described: he must be fearless, uncorrupted, free, the friend of truth and of liberty; one who, to use the words of the comic poet, calls a fig a fig, and a skiff a skiff, neither giving nor withholding from any, from favour or from enmity, not influenced by pity, by shame, or by remorse; a just judge, so far benevolent to all as never to give more than is due to any in his work; a stranger to all, of no country, bound only by his own laws, acknowledging no sovereign, never considering what this or that man may say of him, but relating faithfully everything as it happened.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A historian must be impartial, honest, and independent, reporting facts without bias or personal agenda.
In simple terms: Historians should be truthful and unbiased.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth, avoid personal bias.
Themes
integrity
objectivity
truth
freedom
justice
Mood
reflective
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- journalism
- legal testimony
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
historical methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one guard against personal bias?
- What safeguards ensure factual reporting?
A Different Perspective
Bias can creep in unnoticed; true impartiality is hard to achieve.