Epigrams Quote by David Hackett Fischer
“Many pundits today are in the habit of misquoting Santayana's epigram, Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Maybe some people have come to grief this way, but they are probably fewer than those who have fallen into the opposite error. One is apt to perish in politics from too much memory, Tocqueville wrote somewhere, with equal truth and greater insight.”
About This Quote
Source Book: City of Destiny, 1990, Chapter on historical memory
Overemphasis on remembering the past can hinder political action; balance is needed.
In simple terms: Too much memory can paralyze politics.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced historical perspective.
Themes
history
politics
memory
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- educational curricula
- media analysis
Key Concepts
historical cycles
policy making
Questions to Reflect On
- What is the right amount of historical awareness?
- How can we avoid both forgetting and over‑reliance?
A Different Perspective
Excessive caution may ignore necessary lessons.
