--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The true historian, therefore, seeking to…" description: "\"The true historian, therefore, seeking to compose a true picture of the thing acted, must collect facts and combine facts. Methods will differ, styles ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/augustine-birrell-22545_deserve_the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to_2036215.png" --- # The true historian, therefore, seeking to compose a true… ![“The true historian, therefore, seeking to compose a true picture of the thing acted, must collect facts and combine facts. Methods will differ, styles will differ. Nobody ever does anything like anybody else; but the end in view is generally the same, and the historian's end is truthful narration…” quote by Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/augustine-birrell-22545_deserve_the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to_2036215.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/augustine-birrell-22545_deserve_the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to_2036215.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/augustine-birrell-22545_deserve_the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to_2036215.png) > “The true historian, therefore, seeking to compose a true picture of the thing acted, must collect facts and combine facts. Methods will differ, styles will differ. Nobody ever does anything like anybody else; but the end in view is generally the same, and the historian's end is truthful narration. Maxims he will have, if he is wise, never a one; and as for a moral, if he tell his story well, it will need none; if he tell it ill, it will deserve none.” [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that historians must gather facts, combine them uniquely, and aim for truthful narration without relying on maxims or moralizing. **In simple terms:** Historians should seek factual truth without preaching. Key Takeaway Prioritize evidence over moral lessons. Themes history truth methodology Mood analytical thoughtful Type academic philosophical When to use this quote - academic research - museum curation - public history projects Key Concepts Historical methodology narrative ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance factual accuracy with moral insight? - Can history be truly objective? A Different Perspective May ignore the moral implications of historical interpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Maxims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maxims/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Truthful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truthful/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [ I can see that you \[Bruce Cole\] are a true historian because you really always ought to ask that question about anybody at a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-kagan/i-can-see-that-you-bruce-cole-are-a-true-historian-because-you-really/) [Donald Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-kagan/) > [“...I believe that nothing that once was can be completely undone. Even if destroyed in the material world and forgotten by men, it remains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-o-kristeller/i-believe-that-nothing-that-once-was-can-be-completely-undone-even-if/) Paul O. Kristeller > [“True history being a mixture of all things, the true historian mingles in everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/true-history-being-a-mixture-of-all-things-the-true-historian-mingles/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“No one is a good historian of the patent, visible, striking, and public life of peoples, if he is not, at the same time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-is-a-good-historian-of-the-patent-visible-striking-and-public/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can see that you are a true historian because you really always ought to ask that question about anybody at a different place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-kagan/i-can-see-that-you-are-a-true-historian-because-you-really-always/) [Donald Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-kagan/) > [“At ten, I couldn't articulate much but I got the message: to be a true historian, you had to mourn amply and well. (spoken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-russell/at-ten-i-couldn-t-articulate-much-but-i-got-the-message-to-be-a-true/) [Karen Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-russell/) > [If I write nothing but fiction for some time I begin to get stupid, and to feel rather as if it had been a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-mary-yonge/if-i-write-nothing-but-fiction-for-some-time-i-begin-to-get-stupid/) [Charlotte Mary Yonge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-mary-yonge/) > [The ‘I’ character in journalism is almost pure invention. Unlike the ‘I’ of autobiography, who is meant to be seen as a representation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-malcolm/the-i-character-in-journalism-is-almost-pure-invention-unlike-the-i/) [Janet Malcolm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-malcolm/) > [I use a lot of narration; I have a very prosaic style. I like to get you invested in the character first and do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-snyder/i-use-a-lot-of-narration-i-have-a-very-prosaic-style-i-like-to-get/) [Scott Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-snyder/) > [I couldn't sit down and write a novel or a short story - even now - because of my dyslexia. But I learned narration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benton/i-couldn-t-sit-down-and-write-a-novel-or-a-short-story-even-now/) [Robert Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benton/) > [Narration is as much a part of human nature as breath and the circulation of the blood… storytelling is intrinsic to biological time, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt-2/narration-is-as-much-a-part-of-human-nature-as-breath-and-the/) [A. S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt-2/) > [I had never done a Director's Cut narration on Beaches so I did in time for the release of the DVD. It was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/i-had-never-done-a-director-s-cut-narration-on-beaches-so-i-did-in/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [ I got used to \[ Lars Von Trier\] doing the narration for 'Dogville' and 'Manderley.' And I said to him I do these narrations… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-got-used-to-lars-von-trier-doing-the-narration-for-dogville-and/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Time is the nervous system of narration, whether factual or fictive. If it gets confused some of the minutiae of human nature are certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenway-wescott/time-is-the-nervous-system-of-narration-whether-factual-or-fictive-if/) [Glenway Wescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenway-wescott/) > [The narration, in fact, doubles the drama with a commentary without which no mise en scene would be possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lacan/the-narration-in-fact-doubles-the-drama-with-a-commentary-without/) [Jacques Lacan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lacan/) ## More by Augustine Birrell > [Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/poetry-should-be-vital-either-stirring-our-blood-by-its-divine/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [It can never be wrong to give pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/it-can-never-be-wrong-to-give-pleasure/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [A poet's soul must contain the perfect shape of all things good, wise and just. His body must be spotless and without blemish, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/a-poet-s-soul-must-contain-the-perfect-shape-of-all-things-good-wise/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we know already. A true good read is surely an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/a-conventional-good-read-is-usually-a-bad-read-a-relaxing-bath-in/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [Libraries are not made, they grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/libraries-are-not-made-they-grow/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [That great dust-heap called 'history'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/that-great-dust-heap-called-history/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [“Libraries are not made; they grow. Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/libraries-are-not-made-they-grow-good-as-it-is-to-inherit-a-library/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [“An ordinary man can...surround himself with two thousand books...and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which is is possible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/an-ordinary-man-can-surround-himself-with-two-thousand-books-and/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [A great library easily begets affection, which may deepen into love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/a-great-library-easily-begets-affection-which-may-deepen-into-love/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/friendship-is-a-word-the-very-sight-of-which-in-print-makes-the-heart/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [It is the Mass the matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/it-is-the-mass-the-matters/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [Milton calls the university A stony-hearted step-mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/milton-calls-the-university-a-stony-hearted-step-mother/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [It is pleasant to be admitted into the birth-chamber of a great idea destined to be translated into action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/it-is-pleasant-to-be-admitted-into-the-birth-chamber-of-a-great-idea/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [There are no habits of man more alien to the doctrine of the Communist than those of the collector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/there-are-no-habits-of-man-more-alien-to-the-doctrine-of-the/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) > [I am far too much in doubt about the present, far too perturbed .about the future, to be otherwise than profoundly reverential about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/i-am-far-too-much-in-doubt-about-the-present-far-too-perturbed-about/) [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) [Explore all 27 Augustine Birrell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) ## More Deserve quotes > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I am a millionaire today and my wife deserves all of the credit. Before I met her I was a multi-millionaire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chi-chi-rodriguez/i-am-a-millionaire-today-and-my-wife-deserves-all-of-the-credit/) [Chi Chi Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chi-chi-rodriguez/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [If every nation gets the government it deserves, every generation writes the history which corresponds with its view of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-janeway/if-every-nation-gets-the-government-it-deserves-every-generation/) [Elizabeth Janeway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-janeway/) > [I used to hurt so badly that I'd ask God why, what have I done to deserve any of this? I feel now He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eden-phillpotts/i-used-to-hurt-so-badly-that-i-d-ask-god-why-what-have-i-done-to/) [Eden Phillpotts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eden-phillpotts/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [My prayer to the Lord every day, is this-I have been a great sinner. I do not deserve Heaven. Let me stay here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-segovia/my-prayer-to-the-lord-every-day-is-this-i-have-been-a-great-sinner-i/) [Andres Segovia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-segovia/) > [Every girl deserves a guy who'll prove to her that not all guys are the same, a guy who'll love her just the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/every-girl-deserves-a-guy-who-ll-prove-to-her-that-not-all-guys-are/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [If you are a white male, you don't deserve to live. You are a cancer, you're a disease, white males have never contributed anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-ignatiev/if-you-are-a-white-male-you-don-t-deserve-to-live-you-are-a-cancer/) [Noel Ignatiev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-ignatiev/) > [Singaporeans like Mr. Alfian Sa'at do not deserve to be admonished in Parliament on the basis of a selective reading of their works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pritam-singh/singaporeans-like-mr-alfian-sa-at-do-not-deserve-to-be-admonished-in/) [Pritam Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pritam-singh/) > [Use every man according to his desert and who should 'scape whipping? Use them after your own honor and dignity, the less they deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/use-every-man-according-to-his-desert-and-who-should-scape-whipping/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“We should not elevate anyone higher than our own heart. If you do not value what you have to give then no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-evangelou/we-should-not-elevate-anyone-higher-than-our-own-heart-if-you-do-not/) [Christine Evangelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-evangelou/) > [“I deserve you least of all. But I want you the most. And I won't give up. The lengths I'm willing to go to...One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-hazelwood/i-deserve-you-least-of-all-but-i-want-you-the-most-and-i-won-t-give/) [Ali Hazelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-hazelwood/) > [I am constantly nice to people. Sometimes they don't deserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rylan-clark-neal/i-am-constantly-nice-to-people-sometimes-they-don-t-deserve-it/) [Rylan Clark-Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rylan-clark-neal/) Browse all 4,764 Deserve quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The true historian, therefore, seeking to compose a true picture of the thing acted, must collect facts and combine facts. Methods will differ, styles will differ. Nobody ever does anything like anybody else; but the end in view is generally the same, and the historian's end is truthful narration. Maxims he will have, if he is wise, never a one; and as for a moral, if he tell his story well, it will need none; if he tell it ill, it will deserve none.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Augustine Birrell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to-compose-a-true-picture-of-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Deserve" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to-compose-a-true-picture-of-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/augustine-birrell-22545_deserve_the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to_2036215.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/augustine-birrell-22545_deserve_the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to_2036215.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/augustine-birrell-22545_deserve_the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to_2036215.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The true historian, therefore, seeking to compose a true picture of the thing acted, must collect facts and…” — Augustine Birrell", "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": "Augustine Birrell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The true historian, therefore, seeking to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to-compose-a-true-picture-of-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-birrell/the-true-historian-therefore-seeking-to-compose-a-true-picture-of-the/#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 } } ] } ```