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

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...

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,...

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...

We should be wary of politicians who profess to follow history while only noticing those...

We should be wary of politicians who profess to follow history while only noticing those...

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.

History provides no precise guidelines.

History provides no precise guidelines.

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

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

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

Despite this lamentable lack of balance in our education I do not believe that either...

Despite this lamentable lack of balance in our education I do not believe that either...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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 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...