Attractive Quote by Thucydides
“On the whole, however, the conclusions I have drawn from the proofs quoted may, I believe, safely be relied on. Assuredly they will not be disturbed either by the lays of a poet displaying the exaggeration of his craft, or by the compositions of the chroniclers that are attractive at truth's expense; the subjects they treat of being out of the reach of evidence, and time having robbed most of them of historical value by enthroning them in the region of legend.”
About This Quote
Source Historical Treatise: History of the Peloponnesian War, Book VI
Historical accounts may be unreliable when poets exaggerate or chroniclers prioritize truth over evidence, making some subjects beyond verification.
In simple terms: Poets and chroniclers can distort history, limiting evidence.
Key Takeaway
Question the reliability of historical narratives.
Themes
history
truth
evidence
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- teaching history
- documentary making
- archival work
Key Concepts
critical analysis
source evaluation
myth vs fact
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we distinguish myth from fact?
- What methods improve historical accuracy?
A Different Perspective
Even careful scholars cannot fully verify legendary accounts.
