- Historical figures are rarely fully known quantities, and are often more sketch than photograph. They are a gestalt of poorly recorded memory.
- Historical figures are people and are capable of both horrible acts of cruelty and cowardice, just as much as they are simultaneously capable of exalted acts of kindness and insight.
- Historical figures are not gods nor are they devils, they are, foremost, human; they, if they existed, were as complex as you or I.
- It follows then that notable historical figures are just as flawed as the rest of us in every respect.
- Notable historical figures worthy to be held to account for their failings as well as their successes.
- In general, those with power have obtained it by taking it from others. Rarely, there are exceptions.
- The stories of life are always abridged; minor characters are removed. Those silent partners are often where the balance of the equation of power lies. Watch for the shadows of the forgotten.
- In evaluating the merit of an achievement, the means by which the ends are achieved often better reflect the toll the end exacts.
- In evaluating the merit of morals and means against ends, one must understand the measures of the time and place in which the price was paid. Often, the price is still being paid; the interest on debt must be considered.
- In determining if an action is worthy of praise now and worth repeating in the future, the measures of the time and place the action was committed must be weighed against the measures of the present.
- Foremost, tread cautiously - you tread a path which no longer exists; indeed, the path may never have existed.
- Historical figures are people and are capable of both horrible acts of cruelty and cowardice, just as much as they are simultaneously capable of exalted acts of kindness and insight.
- Historical figures are not gods nor are they devils, they are, foremost, human; they, if they existed, were as complex as you or I.
- It follows then that notable historical figures are just as flawed as the rest of us in every respect.
- Notable historical figures worthy to be held to account for their failings as well as their successes.
- In general, those with power have obtained it by taking it from others. Rarely, there are exceptions.
- The stories of life are always abridged; minor characters are removed. Those silent partners are often where the balance of the equation of power lies. Watch for the shadows of the forgotten.
- In evaluating the merit of an achievement, the means by which the ends are achieved often better reflect the toll the end exacts.
- In evaluating the merit of morals and means against ends, one must understand the measures of the time and place in which the price was paid. Often, the price is still being paid; the interest on debt must be considered.
- In determining if an action is worthy of praise now and worth repeating in the future, the measures of the time and place the action was committed must be weighed against the measures of the present.
- Foremost, tread cautiously - you tread a path which no longer exists; indeed, the path may never have existed.