Analogies are figures intended to serve as fatal weapons if they succeed, and as innocent toys if they fail. Henry Adams More Quotes by Henry Adams More Quotes From Henry Adams As history stands, it is a sort of Chinese play, without end andl without lesson. With these impressions I wrote the last line of my History, asking for a round century before going further. Henry Adams chinese play history History is the most aristocratic of all literary pursuits, because it obliges the historian to be rich as well as educated. Henry Adams pursuit rich history History is only a catalogue of the forgotten. Henry Adams catalogues forgotten history Nothing is easier than to teach historical method, but, when learned, it has little use. Henry Adams historical use history My own conclusion is that history is simply social development along the lines of weakest resistance, and that in most cases the line of weakest resistance is found as unconsciously by society as by water. Henry Adams development water history History is only a value of relation. Henry Adams values relation history Every man should have a fair-sized cemetary in which to bury the faults of his friends. Henry Adams funny-friend friendship men Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops. Henry Adams influence powerful teacher Silence alone is respectable and respected. I believe God to be silence. Henry Adams silence respectable believe American politics is a struggle, not of men but of forces. The men become every year more and more creatures of force, massed about central power houses. Henry Adams struggle men years Power when wielded by abnormal energy is the most serious of facts. Henry Adams abnormal bullying energy In practice, such trifles as contradictions in principle are easily set aside; the faculty of ignoring them makes the practical man. Henry Adams principles practice men Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed. The imagination must be given not wings but weights. Henry Adams weight imagination wings It is always good men who do the most harm in the world. Henry Adams civil-war political men I have written too much history to have faith in it; and if anyone thinks I'm wrong, I am inclined to agree with him. Henry Adams too-much have-faith thinking Man is an imperceptible atom always trying to become one with God. Henry Adams always-trying god men No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous. Henry Adams truth men mean No man, however strong, can serve ten years as schoolmaster, priest, or Senator, and remain fit for anything else. Henry Adams strong men reality Only on the edge of the grave can man conclude anything. Henry Adams graves edges men Power is poison. Its effect on Presidents had always been tragic. Henry Adams political president power
