Quote by Ken Burns

You can learn as much about the history from reading about the present as you can vice versa, that is learning about the present through history, which is what I do for a living.

You can learn as much about the history from reading about t

Summary

This quote suggests that studying the present can provide valuable insights into history, just as studying history can help understand the present. The author, who presumably works as a historian, emphasizes the significance of examining both perspectives to gain comprehensive knowledge. By exploring current events, one can draw connections and uncover hidden historical elements, while knowledge of history can provide context and understanding of present circumstances. This reciprocal relationship highlights the interdependence of the past and present and underscores the importance of studying both to attain a holistic understanding of the world.

Topics

Learning

By Ken Burns

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

I love 'Safe Men.' Now it's getting all this culty kind of -

I love 'Safe Men.' Now it's getting all this culty kind of - it just came out on DVD. That was awesome. I read that script, I never laughed so hard in my life.

Men Life Love

Humanity has the stars in its future, and that future is too

Humanity has the stars in its future, and that future is too important to be lost under the burden of juvenile folly and ignorant superstition.

Future

The capacity to give one's attention to a sufferer is a very

The capacity to give one's attention to a sufferer is a very rare and difficult thing; it is almost a miracle; it is a miracle. Nearly all those who think they have this capacity do not possess it. Warmth of heart, impulsiveness, pity are not enough.

Sympathy

The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball

The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it.

Jackie Robinson, I Never Had It

Baseball

People come into your life and people leave it... you just h

People come into your life and people leave it... you just have to trust that life has a road mapped out for you.

Trust

It was the possibility of darkness that made the day seem so

It was the possibility of darkness that made the day seem so bright.

Day Night Dark Bright

I'll never forget that show season. It was completely mad. I

I'll never forget that show season. It was completely mad. I was staying between Christy and Naomi's rooms and it was all limos and the Ritz Hotel and all that kind of business.

Business

In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getti

In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. The last is much the worst; the last is a real tragedy!

Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's F

Tragedy

When all of this music sounds like you know what you want to

When all of this music sounds like you know what you want to say, then it will have been of all worth, ever. You will be something complete unto yourself, present and unique.

Music Truth Expression Jeff Buckley

Whoever will be free must make himself free. Freedom is no f

Whoever will be free must make himself free. Freedom is no fairy gift to fall into a man's lap. What is freedom? To have the will to be responsible for one's self.

Responsibility

Many people in a rather reckless context claim to 'just tell

Many people in a rather reckless context claim to 'just tell it like it is'. In actuality, nobody really stresses what one says so much as the motive behind what one says; hence, he is merely blowing hot air and detracting from 'what is'.

Creativity Intention Intent Honest Argumentation Dishonest Blunt Actuality Context Craftiness Detraction Effective Effectiveness

Semiotics is concerned with everything that can be taken as

Semiotics is concerned with everything that can be taken as a sign. A sign is everything which can be taken as significantly substituting for something else. This something else does not necessarily have to exist or to actually be somewhere at the moment in which a sign stands in for it. Thus semiotics is in principle the discipline studying everything which can be used in order to lie. If something cannot be used to tell a lie, conversely it cannot be used to tell the truth; it cannot in fact be used 'to tell' at all. I think that the definition of a 'theory of the lie' should be taken as a pretty comprehensive program for a general semiotics.

Umberto Eco, Theory of Semiotics

Deception/lying