Make no mistake; the American Revolution was not fought to obtain freedom, but to preserve the liberties that Americans already had as colonials. Independence was no conscious goal, secretly nurtured in cellar or jungle by bearded conspirators, but a reluctant last resort, to preserve "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Samuel Eliot Morison

Categorized in : Life Mistake Pursuit Of Happiness

America was discovered accidentally by a great seaman who was looking for something else; when discovered it was not wanted; and most of the exploration for the next fifty years was done in the hope of getting through or around it. America was named after a man who discovered no part of the New World. History is like that, very chancy.

Samuel Eliot Morison

hope discovery men

Dream dreams and write them aye, but live them first.

Samuel Eliot Morison

dream writing life

Skepticism is an important historical tool. It is the starting point of all revision of hitherto accepted history.

Samuel Eliot Morison

historical important tools

But sea power has never led to despotism. The nations that have enjoyed sea power even for a brief period-Athens, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, England, the United States-are those that have preserved freedom for themselves and have given it to others. Of the despotism to which unrestrained military power leads we have plenty of examples from Alexander to Mao.

Samuel Eliot Morison

military power sea

If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worth while. . . . The beauty and cogency of the preamble, reaching back to remotest antiquity and forward so an indefinite future, have lifted the hearts of millions of men and will continue to do. . . . These words are more revolutionary than anything written by Robespierre, Marx, or Lenin, more explosive than the atom, a continual challenge to ourselves as well as an inspiration to the oppressed of all the world.

Samuel Eliot Morison

inspiration heart men

If the European discovery had been delayed for a century or two, it is possible that the Aztec in Mexico or the Iroquois in North America would have established strong native states capable of adopting European war tactics and maintaining their independence to this day, as Japan kept her independence from China.

Samuel Eliot Morison

strong discovery war

A few hints as to the craft may be useful to budding historians. First and foremost, get writing!

Samuel Eliot Morison

hints writing may

America was named after a man who discovered no part of the New World. History is like that, very chancy.

Samuel Eliot Morison

men america world

The cruel policy initiated by Columbus and pursued by his successors resulted in complete genocide.

Samuel Eliot Morison

columbus policy genocide

The freedmen were not really free in 1865, nor are most of their descendants really free in 1965. Slavery was but one aspect of a race and color problem that is still far from solution here, or anywhere. In America particularly, the grapes of wrath have not yet yielded all their bitter vintage.

Samuel Eliot Morison

wrath color race

One learns more from defeat than from victory.

Samuel Eliot Morison

defeat victory

If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worthwhile.

Samuel Eliot Morison

independence freedom america

Never, in these United States, has the brain of man conceived, or the hand of man fashioned, so perfect a thing as a clipper ship.

Samuel Eliot Morison

perfect men hands

Historical methodology, as I see it, is a product of common sense applied to circumstances.

Samuel Eliot Morison

methodology common-sense historical

With honesty of purpose, balance, a respect for tradition, courage, and, above all, a philosophy of life, any young person who embraces the historical profession will find it rich in rewards and durable in satisfaction.

Samuel Eliot Morison

honesty courage philosophy

An historian should yield himself to his subject, become immersed in the place and period of his choice, standing apart from it now and then for a fresh view.

Samuel Eliot Morison

yield views history

No big modern war has been won without preponderant sea power; and, conversely, very few rebellions of maritime provinces have succeeded without acquiring sea power.

Samuel Eliot Morison

rebellion sea war

The same contingencies of time and space that force a statesman or soldier to make decisions, impel the historian, though with less urgency, to make up his mind.

Samuel Eliot Morison

space decision soldier

He [Columbus] enjoyed long stretches of pure delight such as only a seaman may know, and moments of high, proud exultation that only a discoverer can experience.

Samuel Eliot Morison

delight experience long

Intellectual honesty is the quality that the public in free countries always has expected of historians; much more than that it does not expect, nor often get.

Samuel Eliot Morison

honesty intellectual country