Quote by Victor Hugo

One cannot be a good historian of the outward, visible world without giving some thought to the hidden, private life of ordinary people; and on the other hand one cannot be a good historian of this inner life without taking into account outward events where these are relevant. They are two orders of fact which reflect each other, which are always linked and which sometimes provoke each other.


One cannot be a good historian of the outward, visible world

Summary

This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of the public and private spheres in historical analysis. It suggests that a historian cannot fully understand and accurately represent the external, observable events without considering the personal experiences and hidden lives of ordinary individuals. Likewise, to study the inner lives of people, it is necessary to consider the external events that shape and influence their thoughts and actions. The quote highlights the reciprocal relationship between the two, indicating that they constantly interact and occasionally spur each other's development.

Topics

History
By Victor Hugo
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