Wisely used history can give pleasure and provide us with a useful tool; but we should not become its slaves.

Quote by Douglas Hurd

Topics: Douglas Hurd Quotes

A genuinely democratic Iraq might well act as a fresh spur.

A genuinely democratic Iraq might well act as a fresh spur.

It is normal for politicians in all countries to profess themselves the pupils of history,...

It is normal for politicians in all countries to profess themselves the pupils of history,...

Men like Hitler and Stalin and their immediate lieutenants cannot plead in defence of their...

Men like Hitler and Stalin and their immediate lieutenants cannot plead in defence of their...

There is no consensus even today on the merits of Napoleon - and certainly no...

There is no consensus even today on the merits of Napoleon - and certainly no...

People are very interested in politics, they just don't like it labelled politics.

People are very interested in politics, they just don't like it labelled politics.

People know they are lacking something, they are constantly wanting some kind of spiritual guidance.

People know they are lacking something, they are constantly wanting some kind of spiritual guidance.

Margaret Thatcher, growing up in a bombed and battered Britain, derived a distrust which has...

Margaret Thatcher, growing up in a bombed and battered Britain, derived a distrust which has...

No military timetable should compel war when a successful outcome, namely a disarmed Iraq may...

No military timetable should compel war when a successful outcome, namely a disarmed Iraq may...

But it cannot follow that because weapons and troops are now being deployed we are...

But it cannot follow that because weapons and troops are now being deployed we are...

There is nothing false or arrogant about German pride in German technical and business skills.

There is nothing false or arrogant about German pride in German technical and business skills.

We must admit that history is enjoyable to a large extent because it enables us...

We must admit that history is enjoyable to a large extent because it enables us...

The first two Prime Ministers whom I served, Ted Heath and Margaret Thatcher drew strikingly...

The first two Prime Ministers whom I served, Ted Heath and Margaret Thatcher drew strikingly...

There are thus great swathes of the past where understanding is more important and reputable...

There are thus great swathes of the past where understanding is more important and reputable...

History provides no precise guidelines.

History provides no precise guidelines.

Margaret Thatcher was fearful of German unification because she believed that this would bring an...

Margaret Thatcher was fearful of German unification because she believed that this would bring an...

The tragedy of 9-11 galvanized the American superpower into action, leaving us in Europe divided...

The tragedy of 9-11 galvanized the American superpower into action, leaving us in Europe divided...

It was essentially for self defence that we went to war in Afghanistan and would...

It was essentially for self defence that we went to war in Afghanistan and would...

I may be wrong in that, but not I think in putting the questions. In...

I may be wrong in that, but not I think in putting the questions. In...

But Germany will always suffer, I fear, from the intensely dramatic character of the crimes...

But Germany will always suffer, I fear, from the intensely dramatic character of the crimes...

It depends on how it is done but what we are drifting into, which is...

It depends on how it is done but what we are drifting into, which is...