Documentaries Quote by Robert Conquest
“You made a point about proof. In this sort of history we do nt have proof... Yet... the incontrovertibility of the evidence can be plain even when it is not documentary or complete.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Great Terror: A Reassessment, 1968
Historical truth can be established through indirect evidence and logical inference even when direct documentation is missing.
In simple terms: Proof can come from indirect evidence.
Seek corroborating clues.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- archival research
- legal investigations
- academic debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards should guide acceptance of indirect proof?
- How to balance skepticism and belief?
Reliance on circumstantial evidence may lead to misinterpretation.