It is essential to learn history’s lessons

“Never forget the importance of history. Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labours of past ages, the world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge.”

It is essential to learn history’s lessons

UNDERSTANDING history is how we try to reach the future without repeating the calamities of the past. Nearly every society eventually learns — or becomes extinct — that it must be open to modifying its behaviour if it is to escape the unfortunate consequences of uncompromising beliefs, traditions or tribal enmity.

The European Union may be the greatest example of this in our world. It shows how the energy needed to fuel centuries of war can be far better applied to creating a collective security rather than a self-perpetuating cycle of mutual destruction.

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