The first law for the historian is that he shall never…
“The first law for the historian is that he shall never dare utter an untruth. The second is that he shall suppress nothing that is true. Moreover, there shall be no suspicion of partiality in his writing, or of malice.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Historians must avoid falsehoods, reveal all truths, and remain unbiased and free of malice.
In simple terms: Historians should be truthful, thorough, and neutral.
Key Takeaway
Commit to honesty, completeness, and impartiality in scholarship.
Themes
ethics
history
truth
integrity
objectivity
Mood
reflective
serious
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- news reporting
- documentary filmmaking
- legal testimony
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
journalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards ensure historical accuracy?
- How do we handle conflicting sources?
A Different Perspective
Political pressure can threaten impartiality.