--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I began by saying that our history will…" description: "\"“I began by saying that our history will be what we make it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge, and retribution will not limp i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/edward-r-murrow-7369_history_i-began-by-saying-that-our-history-will_2167579.jpg" --- # I began by saying that our history will be what we make… ![“I began by saying that our history will be what we make it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge, and retribution will not limp in catching up with us. We are to a large extent an imitative society. If one or two or three corporations would undertake to devote just a small…” quote by Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/edward-r-murrow-7369_history_i-began-by-saying-that-our-history-will_2167579.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/edward-r-murrow-7369_history_i-began-by-saying-that-our-history-will_2167579.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/edward-r-murrow-7369_history_i-began-by-saying-that-our-history-will_2167579.jpg) > ““I began by saying that our history will be what we make it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge, and retribution will not limp in catching up with us. We are to a large extent an imitative society. If one or two or three corporations would undertake to devote just a small fraction of their advertising appropriation along the lines that I have suggested, the procedure would grow by contagion; the economic burden would be bearable, and there might ensue a most exciting adventure--exposure to ideas and the bringing of reality into the homes of the nation. To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference.”” [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker argues that media can shape society positively if used responsibly, but neglect leads to ignorance and backlash. **In simple terms:** Media can help or hurt society depending on use. Key Takeaway Use media to educate, not just entertain. Themes media responsibility social influence education ignorance indifference Mood concerned optimistic urgent Type persuasive reflective call‑to‑action When to use this quote - newsrooms - public policy debates - media literacy programs - advertising strategies Key Concepts public discourse civic engagement information ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can we motivate people to engage with meaningful content? - What safeguards ensure media serves the public good? A Different Perspective If audiences remain apathetic, media impact may be limited. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ## Related quotes > [Our history will be what we make of it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge and retribution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/our-history-will-be-what-we-make-of-it-if-we-go-on-as-we-are-then/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We are to a large extent an imitative society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-are-to-a-large-extent-an-imitative-society/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [“What are you?” he demanded. “A slayer?" I rolled my eyes. “The name's Val, not Buffy. Do I look like a blond cheerleader with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parker-blue/what-are-you-he-demanded-a-slayer-i-rolled-my-eyes-the-name-s-val-not/) Parker Blue > [“You're a Shadowhunter," he said. "You know how to deal with injuries." He slid his stele across the table toward her. "Use it." "No,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-re-a-shadowhunter-he-said-you-know-how-to-deal-with-injuries-he/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I was going to watch Project Runway ," said Jace. "It's on next." "No, you're not," said Magnus. He snapped his fingers and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-was-going-to-watch-project-runway-said-jace-it-s-on-next-no-you-re/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“One cannot take revenge upon history; history is its own revenge”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shashi-tharoor/one-cannot-take-revenge-upon-history-history-is-its-own-revenge/) [Shashi Tharoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shashi-tharoor/) > [“The past is not necessarily a guide to the future, but it does partly help explain the present. One cannot, as I have written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shashi-tharoor/the-past-is-not-necessarily-a-guide-to-the-future-but-it-does-partly/) [Shashi Tharoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shashi-tharoor/) > [At least Satan fell; he has a history, and it's one of revenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcdiarmid/at-least-satan-fell-he-has-a-history-and-it-s-one-of-revenge/) [Ian McDiarmid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcdiarmid/) > [As Puerto Ricans, we don't do enough. 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The future then can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-tonkin/without-a-good-understanding-of-history-how-can-we-make-informed-and/) Keith Tonkin ## More by Edward R. Murrow > [Tuberculosis, starvation, fatigue, and there are many who have no desire to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/tuberculosis-starvation-fatigue-and-there-are-many-who-have-no-desire/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [A thing of orchestrated hell-a terrible symphony of light and flame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/a-thing-of-orchestrated-hell-a-terrible-symphony-of-light-and-flame/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [“A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/a-great-many-people-think-they-are-thinking-when-they-are-really/) [Edward R. 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Murrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) ## More History quotes > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. 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If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge, and retribution will not limp in catching up with us. We are to a large extent an imitative society. If one or two or three corporations would undertake to devote just a small fraction of their advertising appropriation along the lines that I have suggested, the procedure would grow by contagion; the economic burden would be bearable, and there might ensue a most exciting adventure--exposure to ideas and the bringing of reality into the homes of the nation. To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward R. 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