--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Reason is the historian, but passions are…" description: "\"Reason is the historian, but passions are the actors.\" — Antoine Rivarol" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/antoine-rivarol-11451_historian_reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are_1509923.jpg" --- # Reason is the historian, but passions are the actors. ![“Reason is the historian, but passions are the actors.” quote by Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/antoine-rivarol-11451_historian_reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are_1509923.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/antoine-rivarol-11451_historian_reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are_1509923.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/antoine-rivarol-11451_historian_reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are_1509923.jpg) > “Reason is the historian, but passions are the actors.” [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. History records facts, but emotions drive human behavior and decisions. **In simple terms:** History is factual; passions drive actions. Key Takeaway Recognize emotional bias in decisions. Themes history emotion human nature Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political decision making - personal relationships - art criticism Key Concepts psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do your emotions affect your judgments? - Can history be truly objective? A Different Perspective Passions can distort factual understanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Historian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historian/) [Historian Passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historian-passions-2753798/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passions/) [Passions Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passions-actors-5555331/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Historian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-historian-2753797/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [Reason is an historian, but the passions are actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/reason-is-an-historian-but-the-passions-are-actors/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Vices are often habits rather than passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/vices-are-often-habits-rather-than-passions/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Man is truly great when he can act from his passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/man-is-truly-great-when-he-can-act-from-his-passions/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Who then is free? The wise who can command his passions, who fears not want, nor death, nor chains, firmly resisting his appetites and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/who-then-is-free-the-wise-who-can-command-his-passions-who-fears-not/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [None can be free who is a slave to, and ruled by, his passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/none-can-be-free-who-is-a-slave-to-and-ruled-by-his-passions/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [“…finally I see that it’s never been me, just a blanket that keeps you warm. Easily tossed along when something flashier or someone prettier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/finally-i-see-that-it-s-never-been-me-just-a-blanket-that-keeps-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My passions are the grapes that I tread out for mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-adle/my-passions-are-the-grapes-that-i-tread-out-for-mankind/) [Alfred Adle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-adle/) > [Working with other artists and sharing your passions is great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leona-lewis/working-with-other-artists-and-sharing-your-passions-is-great/) [Leona Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leona-lewis/) > [Sam loved to listen to music and make his own songs, to wear soft velvets, to play in the castle kitchen beside the cooks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sam-loved-to-listen-to-music-and-make-his-own-songs-to-wear-soft/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You know, people start things for different reasons. But ultimately it turns into pure passion and one becomes insatiate. There is no end once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhaidev/you-know-people-start-things-for-different-reasons-but-ultimately-it/) [Abhaidev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhaidev/) > [“When we are passionate about God, we can trust our passions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-raphael-mcmanus/when-we-are-passionate-about-god-we-can-trust-our-passions/) [Erwin Raphael McManus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-raphael-mcmanus/) > [In tragic life, God wot, No villain need be! Passions spin the plot: We are betrayed by what is false within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-meredith/in-tragic-life-god-wot-no-villain-need-be-passions-spin-the-plot-we/) [George Meredith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-meredith/) > [In music the passions enjoy themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-music-the-passions-enjoy-themselves/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [The life of a good man was a continual warfare with his passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-richardson/the-life-of-a-good-man-was-a-continual-warfare-with-his-passions/) [Samuel Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-richardson/) > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) ## More by Antoine Rivarol > [The modest man has everything to gain, and the arrogant man everything to lose; for modesty has always to deal with generosity, and arrogance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/the-modest-man-has-everything-to-gain-and-the-arrogant-man-everything/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Youth is not the era of wisdom; let us therefore have due consideration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/youth-is-not-the-era-of-wisdom-let-us-therefore-have-due-consideration/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Women read each other at a single glance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/women-read-each-other-at-a-single-glance/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Cats don't caress us-they caress themselves on us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/cats-don-t-caress-us-they-caress-themselves-on-us/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Opinions, theories, and systems pass by turns over the grindstone of time, which at first gives them brilliancy and sharpness, but finally wears them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/opinions-theories-and-systems-pass-by-turns-over-the-grindstone-of/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [The most civilized people are as near to barbarism as the most polished steel is to rust. Nations, like metals, have only a superficial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/the-most-civilized-people-are-as-near-to-barbarism-as-the-most/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [The woman who too easily and ardently yielded her devotion will find that its vitality, like a bright fire, soon consumes itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/the-woman-who-too-easily-and-ardently-yielded-her-devotion-will-find/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good in a bad way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/of-every-ten-persons-who-talk-about-you-nine-will-say-something-bad/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Familiarity is the root of the closest friendships, as well as the intensest hatreds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/familiarity-is-the-root-of-the-closest-friendships-as-well-as-the/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Speech is external thought, and thought internal speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/speech-is-external-thought-and-thought-internal-speech/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/man-spends-his-life-in-reasoning-on-the-past-in-complaining-of-the/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [The subtle sauce of malice is often indulged in by maidens of uncertain age, over their tea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/the-subtle-sauce-of-malice-is-often-indulged-in-by-maidens-of/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [The personal pronoun "I" should be the coat of arms of some individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/the-personal-pronoun-i-should-be-the-coat-of-arms-of-some-individuals/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [The only thing wealth does for some people is to make them worry about losing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/the-only-thing-wealth-does-for-some-people-is-to-make-them-worry/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) > [It is not he who searches for praise who finds it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/it-is-not-he-who-searches-for-praise-who-finds-it/) [Antoine Rivarol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) [Explore all 60 Antoine Rivarol quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/) ## More Historian quotes > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [“military historian Richard Holmes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clare-wright/military-historian-richard-holmes/) [Clare Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clare-wright/) > [In history as it comes to be written, there is usually some Spirit of the Age which historians can define, but the shape of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/in-history-as-it-comes-to-be-written-there-is-usually-some-spirit-of/) [Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/) > [A historian is not always a prophet facing backwards, but a journalist is always someone who afterwards knew everything beforehand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/a-historian-is-not-always-a-prophet-facing-backwards-but-a-journalist/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [The novelist must look on humanity without partiality or prejudice. His sympathy, like that of the historian, must be unbounded, and untainted by sect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldwin-smith/the-novelist-must-look-on-humanity-without-partiality-or-prejudice/) [Goldwin Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldwin-smith/) > [The historian amputates reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaetano-salvemini/the-historian-amputates-reality/) [Gaetano Salvemini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaetano-salvemini/) > [The issue of civil rights was too much for the establishment to handle. One of the chapters of history that's least studied by historians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hayden/the-issue-of-civil-rights-was-too-much-for-the-establishment-to/) [Tom Hayden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hayden/) > [All I am in private life is a literary critic and historian, that's my job...And I'm prepared to say on that basis if anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/all-i-am-in-private-life-is-a-literary-critic-and-historian-that-s-my/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“The historian will tell you what happened, the novelist will tell you what it felt like.” E.L. Doctorow”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-historian-will-tell-you-what-happened-the-novelist-will-tell-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If experiments are performed thousands of times at all seasons and in every place without once producing the effects mentioned by your philosophers, poets,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/if-experiments-are-performed-thousands-of-times-at-all-seasons-and-in/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [I'm a historian by training and by conviction. And so the thing that has throughout informed my thinking about international relations is history. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-garton-ash/i-m-a-historian-by-training-and-by-conviction-and-so-the-thing-that/) [Timothy Garton Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-garton-ash/) > [The footnote would seem to be the smallest detail in a work of history. Yet it carries a large burden of responsibility, testifying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-himmelfarb/the-footnote-would-seem-to-be-the-smallest-detail-in-a-work-of/) [Gertrude Himmelfarb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-himmelfarb/) > [Who says history is stagnant? For a historian, facts do not change; it is the way we look at things, our interpretations, that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/who-says-history-is-stagnant-for-a-historian-facts-do-not-change-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Since history has no properly scientific value, its only purpose is educative. And if historians neglect to educate the public, if they fail to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-trevelyan/since-history-has-no-properly-scientific-value-its-only-purpose-is/) [G. M. Trevelyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-trevelyan/) [Browse all 920 Historian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Reason is the historian, but passions are the actors.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Antoine Rivarol" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are-the-actors/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Historian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are-the-actors/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/antoine-rivarol-11451_historian_reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are_1509923.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/antoine-rivarol-11451_historian_reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are_1509923.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/antoine-rivarol-11451_historian_reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are_1509923.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Reason is the historian, but passions are the actors.” — Antoine Rivarol", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Antoine Rivarol", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-rivarol/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Reason is the historian, but passions...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are-the-actors/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-rivarol/reason-is-the-historian-but-passions-are-the-actors/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```