To be a bestseller is not necessarily a measure of quality, but it is a measure of communication. Barbara Tuchman More Quotes by Barbara Tuchman More Quotes From Barbara Tuchman Every successful revolution puts on in time the robes of the tyrant it has deposed. Barbara Tuchman tyrantsrevolutionsuccessful Nothing is more satisfying than to write a good sentence. It is no fun to write lumpishly, dully, in prose the reader must plod through like wet sand. But it is a pleasure to achieve, if one can, a clear running prose that is simple yet full of surprises. This does not just happen. It requires skill, hard work, a good ear, and continued practice. Barbara Tuchman hard-workrunningfun A phenomenon noticeable throughout history regardless of place or period is the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests. Barbara Tuchman pursuitgovernmentperiods in the midst of war and crisis nothing is as clear or as certain as it appears in hindsight Barbara Tuchman midsthindsightwar To a historian libraries are food, shelter, and even muse. They are of two kinds: the library of published material, books, pamphlets, periodicals, and the archive of unpublished papers and documents. Barbara Tuchman cookingtwobook Books are the carriers of civilization... Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman humanitycivilizationbook I ask myself, have nations ever declined from a loss of moral sense rather than from physical reasons or the pressure of barbarians? I think that they have. Barbara Tuchman barbarianslossthinking Arguments can always be found to turn desire into policy. Barbara Tuchman argumentfounddesire No female iniquity was more severely condemned than the habit of plucking eyebrows and the hairline to heighten the forehead. Barbara Tuchman eyebrowsfemalehabit In the midst of events there is no perspective. Barbara Tuchman midstperspectiveevents If wisdom in government eludes us, perhaps courage could substitute-the moral courage to terminate mistakes. Barbara Tuchman elude-uscouragemistake satire is a wrapping of exaggeration around a core of reality. Barbara Tuchman exaggerationsatirereality The conduct of war was so much more interesting than its prevention. Barbara Tuchman preventionwarinteresting When every autumn people said it could not last through the winter, and when every spring there was still no end in sight, only the hope that out of it all some good would accrue to mankind kept men and nations fighting. When at last it was over, the war had many diverse results and one dominant one transcending all others: disillusion. Barbara Tuchman hopespringwar Honor wears different coats to different eyes. Barbara Tuchman differenteyehonor Confronted by menace, or what is perceived as menace, governments will usually attempt to smash it, rarely to examine it, understand it, define it. Barbara Tuchman menacegovernment The appetite for power is old and irrepressible in humankind, and in its action almost always destructive. Barbara Tuchman appetitepoweraction In individuals as in nations, contentment is silent, which tends to unbalance the historical record. Barbara Tuchman historicalpeacehistory When the gap between ideal and real becomes too wide, the system breaks down. Barbara Tuchman breaking-downgapsreal When truth and reason cannot be heard, then must presumption rule. Barbara Tuchman presumptionheardreason
