Common Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“I love those historians that are either very simple or most excellent. Such as are between both (which is the most common fashion), it is they that spoil all; they will needs chew our meat for us and take upon them a law to judge, and by consequence to square and incline the story according to their fantasy.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "On Historians", Essays, 1580
The writer critiques historians who oversimplify or overcomplicate, arguing both extremes distort truth.
In simple terms: Avoid simplistic or overly elaborate histories.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced, truthful narratives.
Themes
truth
history
interpretation
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- teaching
- public discourse
Key Concepts
critical thinking
narrative bias
intellectual honesty
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate historical accuracy?
- What methods ensure nuanced storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Balancing simplicity and depth is challenging.
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