Arms Quote by Learned Hand
“No doubt one may quote history to support any cause, as the devil quotes scripture; but modern history is not a very satisfactory side-arm in political polemics; it grows less and less so.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Historical Evidence, 1935
History is often twisted to fit agendas, similar to how scripture can be misused; thus its reliability in debate is diminishing.
In simple terms: History can be twisted to serve causes, making it less reliable.
Key Takeaway
Critically assess historical claims before using them.
Themes
critical thinking
history
politics
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
cautionary
educational
When to use this quote
- debates
- policy making
- education
- media analysis
Key Concepts
rhetoric
bias
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria determine a trustworthy historical source?
- How can we avoid bias when citing history?
A Different Perspective
Historical evidence can be selective or incomplete, weakening arguments.
