“This above all makes history useful and desirable: it unfolds before our eyes a glorious record of exemplary actions.”

—  Livy

Praefatio, sec. 10
History of Rome

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Livy 70
Roman historian -59–17 BC

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“He was always before men’s eyes; a course of action which, by increasing our familiarity with great men, diminishes our respect for them.”

Livy (-59–17 BC) Roman historian

Book XXXV, sec. 10
History of Rome

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