The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c3.1

v1.c3.1

"Histories," says Bacon, "make men wise." To read with understanding the record of men's strivings in the past for good and for evil, of the ambitions of individuals and the struggles of masses in their play and counter-play, is often saddening, but always helpful for the knowledge of the present. Most of the worst errors of society might be avoided if its leaders had knowledge of its past and power to use it. Even the driest bones of historical fact are precious: they reveal conditions and forces in the past which have still a significance for the present, for man changes little, and "bleibt stets von gleichem Schlag," even the most sweeping revolutions being unable to destroy the bonds which unite him to former generations.