--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Read about history, and you become aware…" description: "\"Read about history, and you become aware that nothing starts with us.\" — Jim Mattis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/jim-mattis-7799_aware_read-about-history-and-you-become-aware_686856.jpg" --- # Read about history, and you become aware that nothing… ![“Read about history, and you become aware that nothing starts with us.” quote by Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/jim-mattis-7799_aware_read-about-history-and-you-become-aware_686856.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/jim-mattis-7799_aware_read-about-history-and-you-become-aware_686856.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/jim-mattis-7799_aware_read-about-history-and-you-become-aware_686856.jpg) > “Read about history, and you become aware that nothing starts with us.” [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) ## 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 reveals that events are shaped by forces beyond individual control. **In simple terms:** History shows we are not originators. Key Takeaway Learn from past patterns. Themes history humility agency Mood analytical thoughtful Type strategic educational When to use this quote - military planning - policy making - education Key Concepts political science strategic studies Questions to Reflect On - How does history influence your decisions? - Can we change historical trends? A Different Perspective It may underplay personal responsibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aware/) [Aware Starts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aware-starts-5423968/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [History Aware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-aware-2317317/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read/) [Read History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-history/) [Starts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starts/) [Us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/us/) ## Related quotes > [We know enough of our own history by now to be aware that people exploit what they have merely concluded to be of value,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/we-know-enough-of-our-own-history-by-now-to-be-aware-that-people/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“To become aware of our history is to become aware of our singularity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/to-become-aware-of-our-history-is-to-become-aware-of-our-singularity/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [“When the past gets its teeth into our daily life, it may get to grips with an astringent reality and adjust our timeline. By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/when-the-past-gets-its-teeth-into-our-daily-life-it-may-get-to-grips/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [I like American history, so I was aware of the participants and a lot of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-costner/i-like-american-history-so-i-was-aware-of-the-participants-and-a-lot/) [Kevin Costner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-costner/) > [“It is only through examining history that you become aware of where you stand within the continuum of change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/it-is-only-through-examining-history-that-you-become-aware-of-where/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [I'd read up on the history of our country and I'd become fascinated with the story of the Alamo. To me it represented the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wayne/i-d-read-up-on-the-history-of-our-country-and-i-d-become-fascinated/) [John Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wayne/) > [Ireland starts for me with the end of 'The Dead,' which my father read to me from his desk in his basement office in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jeremiah-sullivan/ireland-starts-for-me-with-the-end-of-the-dead-which-my-father-read/) [John Jeremiah Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jeremiah-sullivan/) > [The way I see it, anyone who's proud of their country is either a thug or just hasn't read enough history yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-k-morgan/the-way-i-see-it-anyone-who-s-proud-of-their-country-is-either-a-thug/) [Richard K. Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-k-morgan/) > [Read about the history of the place that we live in and stop letting corporate news tell lies to your children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immortal-technique/read-about-the-history-of-the-place-that-we-live-in-and-stop-letting/) [Immortal Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immortal-technique/) > [Other than fiction and poetry I tend to read history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/other-than-fiction-and-poetry-i-tend-to-read-history/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [Read history, works of truth, not novels and romances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/read-history-works-of-truth-not-novels-and-romances/) [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [Oh, do not read history, for that I know must be false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-walpole/oh-do-not-read-history-for-that-i-know-must-be-false/) [Robert Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-walpole/) > [We may observe in some of the abrupt grounds we meet with, sections of great masses of strata, where it is as easy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-may-observe-in-some-of-the-abrupt-grounds-we-meet-with-sections-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Listen," he said one afternoon in the library. "You have to read a book three times before you know it. The first time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/listen-he-said-one-afternoon-in-the-library-you-have-to-read-a-book/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [Read about the history of magic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mayne/read-about-the-history-of-magic/) [Andrew Mayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mayne/) ## More by Jim Mattis > [There is no room for military people, including our veterans, to see themselves as victims, even if so many of our countrymen are prone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/there-is-no-room-for-military-people-including-our-veterans-to-see/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [The Corps is in good hands, and it's been a privilege to serve with the Leathernecks. Now it's time to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/the-corps-is-in-good-hands-and-it-s-been-a-privilege-to-serve-with/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [We should not fight wars without a clearly defined end state... when you go to war, it can't be a half-step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/we-should-not-fight-wars-without-a-clearly-defined-end-state-when-you/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [It's very hard to live with yourself if you don't stick with your moral code.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/it-s-very-hard-to-live-with-yourself-if-you-don-t-stick-with-your/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [There is no God-given right to victory on the battlefield. You win that through the skill and the devotion, the valor and the ferocity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/there-is-no-god-given-right-to-victory-on-the-battlefield-you-win/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [The most important 6 inches on the battlefield is between your ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/the-most-important-6-inches-on-the-battlefield-is-between-your-ears/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [Now from a distance, I look back on what the Corps taught me: to think like men of action, and to act like men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/now-from-a-distance-i-look-back-on-what-the-corps-taught-me-to-think/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [Most people know nobody in the military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/most-people-know-nobody-in-the-military/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [Engage your brain before you engage your weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/engage-your-brain-before-you-engage-your-weapon/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [It's not an easy course. It's not designed to be. We're not here to get you in touch with your inner child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/it-s-not-an-easy-course-it-s-not-designed-to-be-we-re-not-here-to-get/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [I don't have the best track record with quotes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-don-t-have-the-best-track-record-with-quotes/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/you-go-into-afghanistan-you-got-guys-who-slap-women-around-for-five/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [I've lived a very colorful life, and I've said some things, But not once have I taken them back, and I've never apologized for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-ve-lived-a-very-colorful-life-and-i-ve-said-some-things-but-not/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [I have never thought it necessary to patronize the American people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/i-have-never-thought-it-necessary-to-patronize-the-american-people/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [Basically, Islamic State is a combined al Qaeda and Lebanese Hezbollah on steroids, destabilizing the region, dissolving borders/changing the political geography in the Mid-east,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/basically-islamic-state-is-a-combined-al-qaeda-and-lebanese-hezbollah/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) [Explore all 87 Jim Mattis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) ## More Aware quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I am an aware citizen, so I want my characters to be aware, too. They should be aware of what's happening in the society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-tripathi/i-am-an-aware-citizen-so-i-want-my-characters-to-be-aware-too-they/) [Pankaj Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-tripathi/) > [I'm aware of who I am and I'm comfortable with who I choose to date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shibani-dandekar/i-m-aware-of-who-i-am-and-i-m-comfortable-with-who-i-choose-to-date/) [Shibani Dandekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shibani-dandekar/) > [We're all painfully aware of how suddenly violence can occur, how crippling it is, and how survivors have to find a way back from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/we-re-all-painfully-aware-of-how-suddenly-violence-can-occur-how/) [Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/) > [Be aware and hold the government accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohit-chauhan/be-aware-and-hold-the-government-accountable/) [Mohit Chauhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohit-chauhan/) > [I'm trying to be very aware of not repeating myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-waltz/i-m-trying-to-be-very-aware-of-not-repeating-myself/) [Christoph Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-waltz/) > [If I've had roadblocks along the way for being gay, I'm not aware of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-groff/if-i-ve-had-roadblocks-along-the-way-for-being-gay-i-m-not-aware-of/) [Jonathan Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-groff/) > [“Whenever you're around her she's calm. She's more aware. It's like you carry a frequency she can tune into.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-laurens/whenever-you-re-around-her-she-s-calm-she-s-more-aware-it-s-like-you/) [Jennifer Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-laurens/) > [I thought being in the wheelchair might be kind of limiting for me as an actor. It turned out cool in a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-beaver/i-thought-being-in-the-wheelchair-might-be-kind-of-limiting-for-me-as/) [Jim Beaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-beaver/) > [As all of us are only too aware, the loud and frantic voices of the outer world easily drown out the small, still loving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/as-all-of-us-are-only-too-aware-the-loud-and-frantic-voices-of-the/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I'd just like to see athletes awake. And aware. There's so much going on and so much to know... We stay in our little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-teter/i-d-just-like-to-see-athletes-awake-and-aware-there-s-so-much-going/) [Hannah Teter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-teter/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [Once I get out onstage, it's the same sort of basic production that it is anywhere else. But I might be a little bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-snow/once-i-get-out-onstage-it-s-the-same-sort-of-basic-production-that-it/) [Phoebe Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-snow/) > [Museums, I think, are becoming more and more aware of how to turn themselves into a must-see spectacle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-barton/museums-i-think-are-becoming-more-and-more-aware-of-how-to-turn/) [Jake Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-barton/) > [“The more you become aware of and respond to the needs of others, the richer your own life becomes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mollie-marti/the-more-you-become-aware-of-and-respond-to-the-needs-of-others-the/) [Mollie Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mollie-marti/) [Browse all 1,138 Aware quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aware/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Read about history, and you become aware that nothing starts with us.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jim Mattis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/read-about-history-and-you-become-aware-that-nothing-starts-with-us/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aware" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/read-about-history-and-you-become-aware-that-nothing-starts-with-us/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/jim-mattis-7799_aware_read-about-history-and-you-become-aware_686856.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/jim-mattis-7799_aware_read-about-history-and-you-become-aware_686856.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/jim-mattis-7799_aware_read-about-history-and-you-become-aware_686856.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Read about history, and you become aware that nothing starts with us.” — Jim Mattis", "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": "Jim Mattis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Read about history, and you become...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/read-about-history-and-you-become-aware-that-nothing-starts-with-us/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/read-about-history-and-you-become-aware-that-nothing-starts-with-us/#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 } } ] } ```