Von Ranke Quotes & Sayings

History is no criminal court — Leopold Von Ranke

Neither blindness nor ignorance corrupts people and governments. They soon realize where the path they have taken is leading them. But there is an impulse within them, favored by their natures and reinforced by their habits, which they do not resist; it continues to propel them forward as long as they have a remnant of strength. He who overcomes himself is divine. Most see their ruin before their eyes; but they go on into it.1 Leopold von Ranke — Joachim Fest

Most humans recognize their ruin, but they carry on regardless. — Leopold Von Ranke

In schoolbooks and in literature we can separate ecclesiastical and political history; in the life of mankind they are intertwined. — Leopold Von Ranke

Calvin was virtually the founder of America. — Leopold Von Ranke

He who overcomes himself is divine. Most see their ruin before their eyes; but they go on into it. — Leopold Von Ranke

All ages are equidistant from eternity, and just as immediately accessible to God's presence. — Leopold Von Ranke

It is striking how history, when resting on the memory of men, always touches the bounds of mythology. — Leopold Von Ranke

Every generation is equidistant from God. — Leopold Von Ranke

To history has been assigned the office of judging the past, of instructing the present for the benefit of future ages. To such high offices this work does not aspire. It wants only to show what actually [essentially?] happened (wie es eigentlich gewesen). — Leopold Von Ranke

You have reckoned that history ought to judge the past and to instruct the contemporary world as to the future. The present attempt does not yield to that high office. It will merely tell how it really was. — Leopold Von Ranke