It is not history which uses men as a means of achieving - as if it were an individual person - its own ends. History is nothing but the activity of men in pursuit of their ends.
The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity - or it will move apart.
If you want to study the social and political history of modern nations study hell.
One could write a history of science in reverse by assembling the solemn pronouncements of highest authority about what could not be done and could never happen.
History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.
President Barack Obama has stood watch over the greatest job loss in modern American history. And that my friends is one inconvenient truth that will haunt this President throughout history.
History should be written as philosophy.
Indeed history is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes.
I would put our legislative and foreign policy accomplishments in our first two years against any president - with the possible exceptions of Johnson FDR and Lincoln - just in terms of what we've gotten done in modern history. But you know but when it comes to the economy we've got a lot more work to do. And we're gonna keep on at it.
We've persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people - a belief that out of the ashes of war a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq we have met our responsibility. Now it's time to turn the page.