--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The trouble is, we are incurable…" description: "\"“The trouble is, we are incurable sentimentalists. We insist on makin over historical characters to suit our preconceived notions of what they should b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08d/nancy-byrd-turner-33729_history_the-trouble-is-we-are-incurable-sentimen_979062.jpg" --- # The trouble is, we are incurable sentimentalists. We… ![“The trouble is, we are incurable sentimentalists. We insist on makin over historical characters to suit our preconceived notions of what they should be, chipping, sandpapering, and polishing each personality until it assumes what we consider the proper contour and color.” quote by Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08d/nancy-byrd-turner-33729_history_the-trouble-is-we-are-incurable-sentimen_979062.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08d/nancy-byrd-turner-33729_history_the-trouble-is-we-are-incurable-sentimen_979062.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08d/nancy-byrd-turner-33729_history_the-trouble-is-we-are-incurable-sentimen_979062.jpg) > ““The trouble is, we are incurable sentimentalists. We insist on makin over historical characters to suit our preconceived notions of what they should be, chipping, sandpapering, and polishing each personality until it assumes what we consider the proper contour and color.”” [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We reshape historical figures to fit our modern narratives, erasing their true complexities. **In simple terms:** We edit history to fit ideas. Key Takeaway Seek authentic historical perspectives. Themes historical revisionism memory identity Mood critical reflective Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - education - media analysis - museum curation - literary criticism Key Concepts narrative construction cultural bias Questions to Reflect On - What motives drive us to alter past figures? - How can we preserve nuanced histories? A Different Perspective Simplifying history can mislead future generations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Preconceived notions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preconceived-notions/) ## Related quotes > [The key for me with historical characters is they're interesting because they're human beings. A little bit of Hemingway goes a long way here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hirst/the-key-for-me-with-historical-characters-is-they-re-interesting/) [Michael Hirst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hirst/) > [“Other historical characters mentioned in the novel include Denmark Vesey, who had planned a slave revolt in Charleston, and William Lloyd Garrison, an abolitionist.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/5-minute-publications/other-historical-characters-mentioned-in-the-novel-include-denmark/) 5 Minute Publications > [Though I hunt for anything that is different, I am looking forward to play some historical characters and the role of Gladiator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanshu-chatterjee/though-i-hunt-for-anything-that-is-different-i-am-looking-forward-to/) [Priyanshu Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanshu-chatterjee/) > [You can't play history and you can't play historical characters. You just have to reduce it to the ordinary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-toussaint/you-can-t-play-history-and-you-can-t-play-historical-characters-you/) [Lorraine Toussaint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-toussaint/) > [I did a great deal of research to write 'The Irish Duke.' Since all the people in this Lords of the Realm series are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-henley/i-did-a-great-deal-of-research-to-write-the-irish-duke-since-all-the/) [Virginia Henley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-henley/) > [I've played all kinds of historical characters, but they are stuck in movies that aren't their movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colm-feore/i-ve-played-all-kinds-of-historical-characters-but-they-are-stuck-in/) [Colm Feore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colm-feore/) > [Though I enjoy playing historical characters, it is very taxing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/puneet-issar/though-i-enjoy-playing-historical-characters-it-is-very-taxing/) [Puneet Issar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/puneet-issar/) > [I've always been drawn to writing historical characters. The best stories are the ones you find in history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-kushner/i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-writing-historical-characters-the-best/) [Tony Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-kushner/) > [I can relate to historical characters or imaginary ones. It doesn't matter if a story takes place in the future or in the present,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/i-can-relate-to-historical-characters-or-imaginary-ones-it-doesn-t/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [In general, I think my freedom of invention is not limited when I use historical characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/in-general-i-think-my-freedom-of-invention-is-not-limited-when-i-use/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [As a biracial girl growing up in England, I'd never really seen any historical characters who looked like me depicted on film before that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/as-a-biracial-girl-growing-up-in-england-i-d-never-really-seen-any/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I've played so many historical characters because most horrible dictators are short, fat, middle-aged men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hoskins/i-ve-played-so-many-historical-characters-because-most-horrible/) [Bob Hoskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hoskins/) > [I've played historical characters before, and I think the trap of all of them is if you try to do an impression. If that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-ve-played-historical-characters-before-and-i-think-the-trap-of-all/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [When writing about historical characters I try to be as accurate as possible, and in particular not to misrepresent the view they held. With…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-barker/when-writing-about-historical-characters-i-try-to-be-as-accurate-as/) [Pat Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-barker/) > [If you're writing something that's clearly labelled as an alternative history, of course it's perfectly legitimate to play with known historical characters and events,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-you-re-writing-something-that-s-clearly-labelled-as-an-alternative/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More by Nancy Byrd Turner > [“Distinctively gentle he was, and trustworthy, and of special courtesy. His great physical strength was never used in combat, men remembered, except when needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/distinctively-gentle-he-was-and-trustworthy-and-of-special-courtesy/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [“She saw at last that her strange son was fired by some purpose which he would carry out or die. Seeing that, she finally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/she-saw-at-last-that-her-strange-son-was-fired-by-some-purpose-which/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [Easter's nearly here, now - Sing, world, sing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/easter-s-nearly-here-now-sing-world-sing/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [“It is safe to say that not all the cooking and sewing and farm management of an entire year signified as much hard work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/it-is-safe-to-say-that-not-all-the-cooking-and-sewing-and-farm/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [Under our thatch, friend, place shall abide for you, touch but the latch, friend, the door will swing wide for you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/under-our-thatch-friend-place-shall-abide-for-you-touch-but-the-latch/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [“But this woman was all mother. A stern one, perhaps, and autocratic at times, and somewhat hard--but after all and in spite of all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/but-this-woman-was-all-mother-a-stern-one-perhaps-and-autocratic-at/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [Death is only an old door/Set in a garden wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/death-is-only-an-old-door-set-in-a-garden-wall/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [Death is only an old door Set in a garden wall; On quiet hinges it gives, at dusk When the thrushes call. Along the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/death-is-only-an-old-door-set-in-a-garden-wall-on-quiet-hinges-it/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [The Bookshop has a thousand books, All colors, hues, and tinges, And every cover is a door That turns on magic hinges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/the-bookshop-has-a-thousand-books-all-colors-hues-and-tinges-and/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [“By nature and by training this woman was all for conservation of life. She had been brought up in rather a strict and narrow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/by-nature-and-by-training-this-woman-was-all-for-conservation-of-life/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [Oh, heart, let's never grow too old To smile anew, when Christmas comes, At tassels red and tinsel thread, And tarlatan bags f sugarplums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/oh-heart-let-s-never-grow-too-old-to-smile-anew-when-christmas-comes/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [“Common sense...was one of the strongest ingredients of her character. She knew well enough that her fate was not to be an iota different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/common-sense-was-one-of-the-strongest-ingredients-of-her-character/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) > [“It is perhaps too much to ask of hero worshippers that they peer back of the hero and consider the principal factor that shaped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-byrd-turner/it-is-perhaps-too-much-to-ask-of-hero-worshippers-that-they-peer-back/) [Nancy Byrd Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) [Explore all 14 Nancy Byrd Turner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-byrd-turner/) ## More History quotes > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. 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It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [What is history after all? History is facts which become lies in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/what-is-history-after-all-history-is-facts-which-become-lies-in-the/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [Things live and die, and then someone processes them into edible portions. This is a complete telling of the story, 'Food.' The basic plot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fahrenthold/things-live-and-die-and-then-someone-processes-them-into-edible/) [David Fahrenthold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fahrenthold/) > [History is a certain way, but you just change the point of view a little bit, and you discover a whole new side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/history-is-a-certain-way-but-you-just-change-the-point-of-view-a/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) > [We're at a point in history were we have to become a part of the neighborhood of inhabited planets, like a neighborhood of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-re-at-a-point-in-history-were-we-have-to-become-a-part-of-the/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Today is a reality, tomorrow's a promise, and yesterday's history!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-blanks/today-is-a-reality-tomorrow-s-a-promise-and-yesterday-s-history/) [Billy Blanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-blanks/) > [Truth be told from compulsive liars with a history/Everything must change 2nd chances are a mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-dash/truth-be-told-from-compulsive-liars-with-a-history-everything-must/) C-DASH > [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/) [Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/) > [“To those great geniuses now in petticoats, who shall write novels for the beloved reader's children, these men and things will be as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/to-those-great-geniuses-now-in-petticoats-who-shall-write-novels-for/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) [Browse all 27,263 History quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The trouble is, we are incurable sentimentalists. 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