--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For what is history, but... huge libel on…" description: "\"For what is history, but... huge libel on human nature, to which we industriously add page after page, volume after volume, as if we were holding up a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34e/washington-irving-1386_add_for-what-is-history-but-huge-libel-on-hu_399912.png" --- # For what is history, but... huge libel on human nature, to… ![“For what is history, but... huge libel on human nature, to which we industriously add page after page, volume after volume, as if we were holding up a monument to the honor, rather than the infamy of our species.” quote by Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34e/washington-irving-1386_add_for-what-is-history-but-huge-libel-on-hu_399912.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34e/washington-irving-1386_add_for-what-is-history-but-huge-libel-on-hu_399912.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34e/washington-irving-1386_add_for-what-is-history-but-huge-libel-on-hu_399912.png) > “For what is history, but... huge libel on human nature, to which we industriously add page after page, volume after volume, as if we were holding up a monument to the honor, rather than the infamy of our species.” [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. History is a biased narrative that often glorifies humanity while ignoring its flaws, turning truth into a monument of self‑praise. **In simple terms:** History can be self‑serving. Key Takeaway Question narratives and seek multiple perspectives. Themes history bias human nature Mood critical thought‑provoking Type essay philosophical When to use this quote - education - media analysis - political discourse - civic engagement Key Concepts philosophy critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How does bias shape your view of the past? - What sources can reveal hidden truths? A Different Perspective Historical accounts may be incomplete or manipulated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Infamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infamy/) [Libel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libel/) [Monument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monument/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [There isn't any way to libel the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/there-isn-t-any-way-to-libel-the-human-race/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Man passes away; his name perishes from record and recollection; his history is as a tale that is told, and his very monument becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/man-passes-away-his-name-perishes-from-record-and-recollection-his/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [“Perhaps there never was a monument more characteristic of an age and people than the Alhambra; a rugged fortress without, a voluptuous palace within;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/perhaps-there-never-was-a-monument-more-characteristic-of-an-age-and/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [What earnest worker, with hand and brain for the benefit of his fellowmen, could desire a more pleasing recognition of his usefulness than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/what-earnest-worker-with-hand-and-brain-for-the-benefit-of-his/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [There is a heroism in crime as well as in virtue. 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If you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/i-have-a-chest-full-of-all-the-insults-villainies-and-infamies-a-man/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [We despise and abhor the bully, the brawler, the oppressor, whether in private or public life, but we despise no less the coward and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/we-despise-and-abhor-the-bully-the-brawler-the-oppressor-whether-in/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [In this, our age of infamy Man's choice is but to be A tyrant, traitor, prisoner: No other choice has he.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-this-our-age-of-infamy-man-s-choice-is-but-to-be-a-tyrant-traitor/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He who can live in infamy is unworthy of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-corneille/he-who-can-live-in-infamy-is-unworthy-of-life/) [Pierre Corneille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-corneille/) > [What shall I say! 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Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The pamphlets going back to London telling of the violent derring-dos of the Bahamian pirates were the ones that brought infamy to the names…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevenson/the-pamphlets-going-back-to-london-telling-of-the-violent-derring-dos/) [Ray Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevenson/) > [The legacy of Ronald Reagan will live on forever. I, of course, had the wonderful opportunity of working with him and getting to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-brady/the-legacy-of-ronald-reagan-will-live-on-forever-i-of-course-had-the/) [Sarah Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-brady/) > [The best weapons against the infamies of life are courage, wilfulness and patience. 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