18 November 2007

Monday's Musing

"Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events."
- Sir Winston Churchill

Do you believe that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it? Over and over again?

I do.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

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15 Comments:

Blogger SaoirseDaily2 said...

And we have a so called president who doesn't even read the newspaper! Enjoyed your blog. The poem you posted on Veterans Day was hauntingly lovely. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.

10:44 PM  
Blogger The A.D.D. Knitter said...

A great quote by a remarkable individual--to think that his life spanned the Crimean war to the nuclear age, it's really incredible.

5:57 AM  
Blogger Lorraine said...

Don't get me started on politics-

but I believe that as individuals, we do tend to make the same mistakes repeatedly-

7:24 AM  
Blogger Jean said...

Me, too. BIG time.

7:49 AM  
Blogger gossamer said...

I believe even if you study history, you are condemned to repeat it.

8:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes. It has born itself out. I think the tendency is to believe that we are somehow.
-punkin

9:31 AM  
Blogger lv2knit said...

I agree: do you think anyone currently in power studied history or thinks any of its lessons apply?

12:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

One of the very best books that endeavors to teach that your point, it called, Through the Looking Glass, by Barbara Tuckman. She was a marvelous historian. I read it several times and marveled why the male leaders of countries, just don't 'get' it.

The millions of people that could have lived ...if leaders had learned.

2:12 AM  
Blogger Alison said...

Definitely doomed to repeat. And definitely a quote some people should be forced to read before embarking on military actions.

Winston Churchill really has some wonderful and insightful quotes. There's one that my local classical station quoted a couple of years ago on election day - "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."

Sad, but so true.

5:35 AM  
Blogger the boogeyman's wife said...

very appropriate for the times. despite all the history we know, war seems so easy to get into but much much harder to get out of. i think we make the same mistakes as people and as society until we understand the true reason why we shouldn't make those choices.

9:49 AM  
Blogger Yarnhog said...

The briefest acquaintance with history proves the saying. Isn't it a shame that those in power don't seem to have even that minimal relationship with history (or reality)?

7:00 PM  
Blogger Robin said...

I definitely agree with that quote. Happy Thanksgiving!

7:34 AM  
Blogger Rhonda the Stitchingnut said...

You would think that if history is read and studied that it wouldn't be repeated at all. But it does. And will. And for what reason? Is it because the ones making the choices don't really understand the lessons or even the question? Aaaah, my head hurts along with my heart.

2:08 PM  
Blogger Tiny Tyrant said...

Thought provoking as usual my friend.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Sorry I missed Saturday. I had to work. Sigh.

3:02 PM  
Blogger ...Sarah said...

Maybe if they do not learn from the mistakes throughout history one is also doomed to repeat. I think generally people feel bolstered by the idea that they will do it better even if in the end they become more infamous.

I really enjoy your musings!

6:02 PM  

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