History, like love, is so apt to surround her heroes with an atmosphere of imaginary brightness.

James Fenimore Cooper
About This Quote

History, like love, is so apt to surround her heroes with an atmosphere of imaginary brightness. In a similar vein to the quote from William Shakespeare, this quote from George Santayana seems to capture the way that history and love have a tendency to play up the accomplishments of heroes. In this case, it seems that he is likening the way that history presents its heroes to the way that lovers tend to emphasize the positive attributes in their partners.

Source: The Last Of The Mohicans

Some Similar Quotes
  1. I just don't see why the past has to matter. - Cassandra Clare
  2. Do you think we can be friends?” I asked. He stared up at the ceiling. “Probably not, but we can pretend. - Priya Ardis
  3. Vane grabbed me. “DuLac, let’s chat.” British-speak for “Stand still while I yell at you. - Priya Ardis
  4. For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers. I revere them when they live in tribes and families, in forests and groves. And even more I revere them when they stand alone. They are like lonely persons. <span style="margin:15px; display:block"></span>Not like hermits who... - Hermann Hesse
  5. Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny. - Steve Maraboli
More Quotes By James Fenimore Cooper
  1. Your young white, who gathers his learning from books and can measure what he knows by the page, may conceit that his knowledge, like his legs, outruns that of his fathers’, but, where experience is the master, the scholar is made to know the value...
  2. .. As for me, I taught the lad the real character of a rifle; and well has he paid me for it. I have fought at his side in many a bloody scrimmage; and so long as I could hear the crack of his piece...
  3. All greatness of character is dependent on individuality. The man who has no other existence than that which he partakes in common with all around him, will never have any other than any existence of mediocrity.
  4. History, like love, is so apt to surround her heroes with an atmosphere of imaginary brightness.
  5. Tis open before your eyes, " returned the scout; "and he who knows it is not a niggard of its use. I have heard it said that there are men who read in books to convince themselves there is a God. I know not but...
Related Topics