If a man could say nothing against a character but what he can prove, history could not be written.

Summary

This quote highlights the importance of subjectivity and circumstantial evidence in shaping historical narratives. It suggests that if historians were only allowed to present facts and proven evidence, their accounts would be limited and incomplete. To truly understand and analyze historical figures, one must consider not only concrete evidence but also subjective interpretations, biases, motivations, and societal contexts. By acknowledging the inherent subjectivity in historical accounts, this quote emphasizes the complexity and inherent limitations of recording history.

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