But all these hints at foreseeing what actually did happen on the French as well as on the Russian side are only conspicuous now because the event has justified them. If the event had not come to pass, these hints would have been forgotten, as thousands and millions of suggestions and supposition are now forgotten that were current at the period, but have been shown by time to be unfounded and so have been consigned to oblivion.

Summary

This quote suggests that the ability to predict future events may seem apparent in hindsight, but would otherwise be forgotten or dismissed if those predictions did not come true. It highlights how the event itself plays a crucial role in validating any hints or suggestions made beforehand. Without the event unfolding as predicted, these hints and suppositions would fade into obscurity, much like the countless incorrect predictions that history has forgotten. Time and the outcome of events determine which predictions are ultimately significant and worth remembering.

Topics