--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The study of History is the beginning of…" description: "\"The study of History is the beginning of wisdom.\" — Jean Bodin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f6/jean-bodin-73758_arts-and-humanities_the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of_2799875.png" --- # The study of History is the beginning of wisdom. ![“The study of History is the beginning of wisdom.” quote by Jean Bodin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f6/jean-bodin-73758_arts-and-humanities_the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of_2799875.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f6/jean-bodin-73758_arts-and-humanities_the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of_2799875.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f6/jean-bodin-73758_arts-and-humanities_the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of_2799875.png) > “The study of History is the beginning of wisdom.” Jean Bodin ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Studying history is the first step toward gaining wisdom and understanding the world. **In simple terms:** History study begins wisdom. Key Takeaway Learn from the past. Themes education wisdom history Mood educational philosophical Type inspirational thought‑provoking When to use this quote - academic study - personal growth - policy making Key Concepts historical analysis philosophy of knowledge Questions to Reflect On - What lessons can you apply today? - How does history shape future decisions? A Different Perspective Historical knowledge can be misused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arts and humanities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arts-and-humanities/) [Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Political wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-wisdom/) [Study Of History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study-of-history/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [The study of history is the beginning of political wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bodin/the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of-political-wisdom/) Jean Bodin > [To a man of liberal education, the study of history is not only useful, and important, but altogether indispensable, and with regard to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/to-a-man-of-liberal-education-the-study-of-history-is-not-only-useful/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The study of history, while it does not endow with prophecy, may indicate lines of probability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/the-study-of-history-while-it-does-not-endow-with-prophecy-may/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I've always been interested in foreign relations. It's my belief that study of history should be our preparation for understanding the present rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-kostova/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-foreign-relations-it-s-my-belief-that/) [Elizabeth Kostova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-kostova/) > [History, we can confidently assert, is useful in the sense that art and music, poetry and flowers, religion and philosophy are useful. Without it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-steele-commager/history-we-can-confidently-assert-is-useful-in-the-sense-that-art-and/) [Henry Steele Commager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-steele-commager/) > [“The rational study of law is still to a large extent the study of history. History must be a part of the study, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr-2/the-rational-study-of-law-is-still-to-a-large-extent-the-study-of/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr-2/) > [The study of history requires investigation, imagination, empathy, and respect. Reverence just doesnt enter into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/the-study-of-history-requires-investigation-imagination-empathy-and-2/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) > [One is astonished in the study of history at the recurrence of the idea that evil must be forgotten, distorted, skimmed over. We must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/one-is-astonished-in-the-study-of-history-at-the-recurrence-of-the/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [The study of history empowers nations and individuals with an ability to avoid errors of the past and lay foundations for victories in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/the-study-of-history-empowers-nations-and-individuals-with-an-ability/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-johnson/the-study-of-history-is-a-powerful-antidote-to-contemporary-arrogance/) [Paul Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-johnson/) > [“The study of history can be sobering and shocking, and morally troubling. One does not have to believe in original sin to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-study-of-history-can-be-sobering-and-shocking-and-morally/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/the-study-of-history-is-the-best-medicine-for-a-sick-mind-for-in/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [The study of history requires investigation, imagination, empathy, and respect. Reverence just doesn't enter into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/the-study-of-history-requires-investigation-imagination-empathy-and/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) > [One of the things I know from the study of history is that history surprises you. History is not written. It's not inevitable.The victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/one-of-the-things-i-know-from-the-study-of-history-is-that-history/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [The study of History is the best medicine for a sick mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/the-study-of-history-is-the-best-medicine-for-a-sick-mind/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) ## More by Jean Bodin > [History teaches us the mistakes we are going to make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bodin/history-teaches-us-the-mistakes-we-are-going-to-make/) Jean Bodin > [In a democracy sovereignity is vested in a majority; and a majority is not only, at best, an ignorant, foolish and emotional mob, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bodin/in-a-democracy-sovereignity-is-vested-in-a-majority-and-a-majority-is/) Jean Bodin > [The study of history is the beginning of political wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bodin/the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of-political-wisdom/) Jean Bodin Explore all 4 Jean Bodin quotes ## More Arts and humanities quotes > [Creativity is essential to particle physics, cosmology, and to mathematics, and to other fields of science, just as it is to its more widely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-randall/creativity-is-essential-to-particle-physics-cosmology-and-to/) [Lisa Randall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-randall/) > [“... an artist should paint from the heart, and not always what people expect. Predictability often leads to the dullest work, in my opinion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/an-artist-should-paint-from-the-heart-and-not-always-what-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Weirdism is definitely the cornerstone of many an artist's career.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/weirdism-is-definitely-the-cornerstone-of-many-an-artist-s-career/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America has not always been kind to its artists and scholars. Somehow the scientists always seem to get the penthouse while the arts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/america-has-not-always-been-kind-to-its-artists-and-scholars-somehow/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy. Leonard was a lifelong lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/long-before-being-nerdy-was-cool-there-was-leonard-nimoy-leonard-was/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“There has to be a cut-off somewhere between the freedom of expression and a graphically explicit free-for-all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-has-to-be-a-cut-off-somewhere-between-the-freedom-of-expression/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Art is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone will have their own interpretation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/art-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder-and-everyone-will-have-their-own/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The arts and humanities define who we are as a people. That is their power -- to remind us of what we each have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/the-arts-and-humanities-define-who-we-are-as-a-people-that-is-their/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [“Righteous, I like that. Kinda fitting when you think about it. If we danced and shared music, we'd be too busy en-joy-in' life to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-a-bucchianeri/righteous-i-like-that-kinda-fitting-when-you-think-about-it-if-we/) [E.A. Bucchianeri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-a-bucchianeri/) > [In Greenville, we were blessed to have lots of youth arts programs. I changed middle schools to go to an arts middle school. Then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-brooks/in-greenville-we-were-blessed-to-have-lots-of-youth-arts-programs-i/) [Danielle Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-brooks/) > [Our culture is more shaped by the arts and humanities than it often is by politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-leach/our-culture-is-more-shaped-by-the-arts-and-humanities-than-it-often/) [Jim Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-leach/) > [“The arts and humanities are not mere entertainment, to be turned to for relaxation after a busy day spent solving differential equations; they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-derbyshire/the-arts-and-humanities-are-not-mere-entertainment-to-be-turned-to/) [John Derbyshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-derbyshire/) > [Throughout history, the arts and humanities have helped men and women around the globe grapple with the most challenging questions and come to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/throughout-history-the-arts-and-humanities-have-helped-men-and-women/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“How often have the greatest thoughts and ideas come to light during conversations with the family over the evening dinner?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-a-bucchianeri/how-often-have-the-greatest-thoughts-and-ideas-come-to-light-during/) [E.A. 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Bucchianeri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-a-bucchianeri/) [Browse all 37 Arts and humanities quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arts-and-humanities/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The study of History is the beginning of wisdom.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jean Bodin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bodin/the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arts and humanities" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bodin/the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f6/jean-bodin-73758_arts-and-humanities_the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of_2799875.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f6/jean-bodin-73758_arts-and-humanities_the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of_2799875.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f6/jean-bodin-73758_arts-and-humanities_the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of_2799875.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The study of History is the beginning of wisdom.” — Jean Bodin", "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": "Jean Bodin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-bodin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The study of History is the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bodin/the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bodin/the-study-of-history-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom/#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 } } ] } ```