The historian should be fearless and incorruptible; a man…
“The historian should be fearless and incorruptible; a man of independence, loving frankness and truth; one who, as the poets says, calls a fig a fig and a spade a spade. He should yield to neither hatred nor affection, not should be unsparing and unpitying. He should be neither shy nor deprecating, but an impartial judge, giving each side all it deserves but no more. He should know in his writing no country and no city; he should bow to no authority and acknowledge no king. He should never consider what this or that man will think, but should state the facts as they really occurred.”
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 bold, impartial, and truthful, refusing bias, fear, or flattery, and report facts without regard to power or opinion.
In simple terms: Historians should be honest and unbiased.
Key Takeaway
Report facts, not opinions.
Themes
integrity
objectivity
truth
independence
courage
Mood
critical
serious
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- journalism
- legal testimony
- policy analysis
- education
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
historical methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure impartiality in your work?
- What pressures might compromise truth?
A Different Perspective
Bias can still infiltrate through selection of sources or framing.