Peter Lamborn WilsonThose who understand history are condemned to watch other idiots repeat it.
About This Quote
Those who understand history are condemned to watch other idiots repeat it. To paraphrase, the idea of history repeating itself is something that often keeps people up at night. The idea of history repeating itself is often one of the most discussed subjects of our time. History does repeat itself but not exactly in how it's often discussed.
The idea of history repeating itself is often presented in the context of "the past always repeats itself." There are some ways that history does repeat itself, however. The crimes of the past are made into law and then enforced by government officials, just as they were before the first time. It's also true that some things will inevitably happen again—no matter what you do or don't do—but it doesn't mean that you can't make the world a better place by your actions today.
Some Similar Quotes
- I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.
- When someone loves you, the way they talk about you is different. You feel safe and comfortable.
- When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.
- Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having...
- The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then...