Historical Quotes by A. J. P. Taylor

Like most of those who study history, he (Napoleon III) learned from the mistakes of the past how to make new ones.

— A. J. P. Taylor

Human blunders usually do more to shape history than human wickedness.

— A. J. P. Taylor

If men are to respect each other for what they are, they must cease to respect each other for what they own.

— A. J. P. Taylor

We are apt to say that a foreign policy is successful only when the country, or at any rate the governing class, is united…

— A. J. P. Taylor

A racing tipster who only reached Hitler's level of accuracy would not do well for his clients.

— A. J. P. Taylor

If there had been a strong democratic sentiment in Germany, Hitler would never have come to power . [Germans] deserved what they got when…

— A. J. P. Taylor

Freedom does not always win. This is one of the bitterest lessons of history.

— A. J. P. Taylor

There is nothing more agreeable in life than to make peace with the establishment and nothing more corrupting.

— A. J. P. Taylor

George VI in the conventional parlance was a Good King who sacrificed his life to his sense of duty. If we are to have…

— A. J. P. Taylor

One of the penalties of being president of the United States is that you must subsist for four years without drinking anything except Californian…

— A. J. P. Taylor

Perfect soldier, perfect gentleman never gave offence to anyone not even the enemy.

— A. J. P. Taylor

No war is inevitable until it breaks out.

— A. J. P. Taylor