Books Quote by Alfred de Vigny
“One might almost reckon mathematically that, having undergone the double composition of public opinion and of the author, their history reaches us at third hand and is thus separated by two stages from the original fact.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Historical Narrative, 1845
History is filtered through multiple layers, distancing us from original facts.
In simple terms: History becomes distorted through repeated retellings.
Key Takeaway
Seek primary sources.
Themes
history
interpretation
truth
knowledge
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
academic
critical
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- journalism
- archival work
- critical analysis
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we verify original events?
- What is the value of secondary accounts?
A Different Perspective
Each layer adds bias.
