Walter Raleigh: Quotes about history

Walter Raleigh was English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. Explore interesting quotes on history.

Walter Raleigh: 82 quotes 8 likes

“What dependence can I have on the alleged events of ancient history, when I find such difficulty in ascertaining the truth regarding a matter that has taken place only a few minutes ago, and almost in my own presence!”

Walter Raleigh

Upon receiving discrepant accounts from the participants in a recent quarrel below his window.
Robert Chambers, Testimony: its Posture in the Scientific World http://books.google.com/books?id=pChcAAAAQAAJ& (1859) p. 12
Attributed

Truth , History , Dependency

“[History] hath triumphed over time, which besides it nothing but eternity hath triumphed over.”

Walter Raleigh

The History of the World (1614), Preface

History , Time

“All histories do shew, and wise politicians do hold it necessary that, for the well-governing of every Commonweal, it behoveth man to presuppose that all men are evil, and will declare themselves so to be when occasion is offered.”

Walter Raleigh

Source: The Cabinet Council (published 1658), Chapter 25

Men , History , Evil

“Whosoever, in writing a modern history, shall follow truth too near the heels, it may happily strike out his teeth.”

Walter Raleigh

The History of the World (1614), Preface

Truth , History