Balance Quote by Samuel E. Morison
“Yet enthusiasm is no excuse for the historian going off balance. He should remind the reader that outcomes were neither inevitable nor foreordained, but subject to a thousand changes and chances.”
About This Quote
Source Book: History of the United States, Samuel E. Morison, 1965
Historians must avoid bias, acknowledging that events are shaped by many unpredictable factors.
In simple terms: Historians should stay balanced and note chance.
Key Takeaway
Recognize uncertainty in historical narratives.
Themes
history
bias
uncertainty
causality
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- public lectures
- museum exhibits
Key Concepts
determinism
contingency
probability
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance chance and structure in analysis?
- What evidence shows inevitability?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on chance can obscure systematic causes.
