In any case, his judgment and set of values, acting alone or through his assistants, determine not only what is gold and what is dross but the design of the history which he creates out of the metal. The historian decides what is significant, and what is not.

Summary

This quote suggests that the historian's judgment and personal values play a crucial role in their interpretation and presentation of history. The historian has the power to distinguish between valuable and insignificant elements, shaping the historical narrative according to their own perspective. They act as the architects of history, determining what is considered important or irrelevant through their selection and exclusion process. Thus, the historian's subjective choices ultimately shape the historical narrative, influencing how events and individuals are portrayed and remembered.

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