Age Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“It has been so written, for the most part, that the times it describes are with remarkable propriety called dark ages. They are dark, as one has observed, because we are so in the dark about them.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Walden, 1854
The term “dark ages” reflects our ignorance about past times, not an inherent darkness.
In simple terms: We know little about the past.
Accept uncertainty about history.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic research
- education
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “dark ages” really mean?
- How can we better illuminate forgotten histories?
Our limited knowledge can lead to mischaracterization.