It may help to understand human affairs to be clear that most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people being fundamentally people.

Summary

This quote suggests that in order to comprehend human affairs, it is important to acknowledge that the major successes and failures in history are not the result of individuals being inherently good or bad, but rather a reflection of their human nature. It implies that people are driven by a complex mix of motives, emotions, and behaviors that can lead to both great accomplishments and disastrous outcomes. By recognizing this fundamental nature of humanity, we can gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in shaping historical events.

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