Transience is one of the fundamental characteristics both of the human condition and of the political order.
Norman DaviesRead
The historical profession is nowhere famous for its tolerance, but there are not many countries where historians can expect to pay for their opinions with penal servitude or the firing squad.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Historians often face intolerance for their views, yet compared to some countries, they have the freedom to express themselves without extreme consequences.
This quote by Norman Davies highlights the complex relationship between historians and the societies in which they operate. While the historical profession may lack tolerance, especially in critical discourse, it is crucial to recognize that in many countries, historians experience far less severe repercussions for their opinions than in others where they might face imprisonment or worse. This serves as a reminder of the value of academic freedom and the importance of safeguarding the rights of scholars to pursue and share knowledge without fear.
Themes
HistoriansFreedomOpinionsToleranceConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on academic freedom, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of protecting historians.
More from Norman Davies
All quotes →Nowadays, it is no longer possible to maintain that the Nazi-Soviet pact of 23 August 1939 was a fiction invented by bourgeois-imperialist enemies. Everyone has seen the film clips of Herr Ribbentrop landing in Moscow, and of Stalin smiling broadly as Ribbentrop and Molotov signed up side by side.
Norman DaviesRead
Why are some things remembered and others forgotten? That is the theme I want to pursue about the Second World War.
Norman DaviesRead
Our mental maps are distorted by who are the 'winners' of history and who are the powers of today.
Norman DaviesRead
One might have thought that 70 years was time enough to work out what really happened in 1939. It isn't the case. Misunderstandings and misinformation abound.
Norman DaviesRead
I wanted to produce a book that would demonstrate not only the rich diversity of people who answered to Anders's command but also the extraordinary variety of their experiences and emotions: from death to despair, fear and longings and eventually to hope.
Norman DaviesRead
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