"I wonder, sometimes, whether men and women..." - Quote by Barack Obama
I wonder, sometimes, whether men and women in fact are capable of learning from history--whether we progress from one stage to the next in an upward course or whether we just ride the cycles of boom and bust, war and peace, ascent and decline.
More by Barack Obama
“Every country has violent, hateful, or mentally unstable people. What's different is not every country is awash with easily accessible guns.”
“Let us each of us now embrace with solemn duty, and awesome joy, what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.”
“You don't take it personally. You understand that if people are angry that somehow the government is failing, then they are going to look to the guy who represents government.”
More on History
“History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time.”
“In reviewing the history of the English Government, its wars and its taxes, a bystander, not blinded by prejudice nor warped by interest, would declare that taxes were not raised to carry on wars, but that wars were raised to carry on taxes.”
“Not to have knowledge of what happened before you were born is to be condemned to live as a child.”
More on Learning
“Surely when a man is painting a picture he ought not refuse to hear any man's opinion... Since men are able to form a true judgement as to the works of nature, how much more does it behoove us to admit that they are able to judge our faults.”
“At our best, we are all teachers”
“You cannot fail, you can only produce results.”