This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue…
“This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, from their depraved expressions and base actions.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
History should preserve virtuous deeds and deter infamy, shaping future moral standards.
In simple terms: History guards virtue.
Key Takeaway
Preserve good deeds, avoid infamy.
Themes
history
morality
legacy
Mood
reflective
instructive
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- education
- public policy
- memorials
Key Concepts
ethical historiography
cultural memory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we ensure accurate preservation?
- What actions define virtue today?
A Different Perspective
Historical records can be biased.