Intellectual honesty is the quality that the public in free countries always has expected of historians; much more than that it does not expect, nor often get.

Quote by Samuel E Morison

Topics: Historians Quotes

If a lecturer, he wishes to be heard; if a writer, to be read. He...

If a lecturer, he wishes to be heard; if a writer, to be read. He...

Courses on historical methodology are not worth the time that they take up. I shall...

Courses on historical methodology are not worth the time that they take up. I shall...

The same contingencies of time and space that force a statesman or soldier to make...

The same contingencies of time and space that force a statesman or soldier to make...

With honesty of purpose, balance, a respect for tradition, courage, and, above all, a philosophy...

With honesty of purpose, balance, a respect for tradition, courage, and, above all, a philosophy...

Everyone agrees to that; but when we come to define truth, dissension starts.

Everyone agrees to that; but when we come to define truth, dissension starts.

Any child knows that history can only be a reduced representation of reality, but it...

Any child knows that history can only be a reduced representation of reality, but it...

I have nothing revolutionary or even novel to offer.

I have nothing revolutionary or even novel to offer.

Throughout this evolution from left to right, Beard always detested war. Hence his writings were...

Throughout this evolution from left to right, Beard always detested war. Hence his writings were...

Too rigid specialization is almost as bad for a historian's mind, and for his ultimate...

Too rigid specialization is almost as bad for a historian's mind, and for his ultimate...

Skepticism is an important historical tool. It is the starting point of all revision of...

Skepticism is an important historical tool. It is the starting point of all revision of...

Every historian with professional standards speaks or writes what he believes to be true.

Every historian with professional standards speaks or writes what he believes to be true.

So I have cultivated the vast garden of human experience which is history, without troubling...

So I have cultivated the vast garden of human experience which is history, without troubling...

In any case, his judgment and set of values, acting alone or through his assistants,...

In any case, his judgment and set of values, acting alone or through his assistants,...

Yet enthusiasm is no excuse for the historian going off balance. He should remind the...

Yet enthusiasm is no excuse for the historian going off balance. He should remind the...

Historical methodology, as I see it, is a product of common sense applied to circumstances.

Historical methodology, as I see it, is a product of common sense applied to circumstances.