--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hardly a pure science, history is closer…" description: "\"“Hardly a pure science, history is closer to animal husbandry that it is to mathematics in that it involves selective breeding. The principal differenc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbd/tom-robbins-169_accounts_hardly-a-pure-science-history-is-closer_1813763.jpg" --- # Hardly a pure science, history is closer to animal… ![“Hardly a pure science, history is closer to animal husbandry that it is to mathematics in that it involves selective breeding. The principal difference between the husbandryman and the historian is that the former breeds sheep or cows or such and the latter breeds (assumed) facts. The husbandryman…” quote by Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbd/tom-robbins-169_accounts_hardly-a-pure-science-history-is-closer_1813763.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbd/tom-robbins-169_accounts_hardly-a-pure-science-history-is-closer_1813763.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbd/tom-robbins-169_accounts_hardly-a-pure-science-history-is-closer_1813763.jpg) > ““Hardly a pure science, history is closer to animal husbandry that it is to mathematics in that it involves selective breeding. The principal difference between the husbandryman and the historian is that the former breeds sheep or cows or such and the latter breeds (assumed) facts. The husbandryman uses his skills to enrich the future, the historian uses his to enrich the past. Both are usually up to their ankles in bullshit.”” [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. History shapes narratives like breeding, selecting facts to enrich our understanding of the past, but can be muddled by falsehoods. **In simple terms:** History selects facts like breeding animals, but can be polluted. Key Takeaway Critically evaluate sources and seek truth. Themes history truth interpretation bias methodology Mood skeptical reflective inquisitive Type analytical critical When to use this quote - academic research - media analysis - public discourse - education - policy making Key Concepts selective breeding fact construction narrative shaping Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify historical claims? - What responsibilities do historians have to the public? A Different Perspective Historians may unintentionally propagate misinformation despite rigorous methods. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accounts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accounts/) [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Ankles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ankles/) [Breeding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breeding/) [Bullshit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullshit/) [Cows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cows/) [Difference Husbandryman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference-husbandryman-2137117/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Facts Husbandryman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts-husbandryman-2137119/) [Former](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/former/) [Historian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historian/) [Historian Breeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historian-breeds-2137120/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Husbandryman Historian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/husbandryman-historian-2137118/) [Husbandryman Uses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/husbandryman-uses-2137121/) [Latter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latter/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Principal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principal/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Sheep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheep/) [Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skills/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [If life were like a competitive race, some people would be given a flying start and others would line up with weights tied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/if-life-were-like-a-competitive-race-some-people-would-be-given-a/) [Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/) > [Why do guys insist on wearing those odious jeans with their rear ends hanging down around their ankles? 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