George Santanya said, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Obviously, this is true as we witness what is happening in our society has already happened in other societies.
Perhaps more than keeping people alive in our memory, the study of history, especially the history of one's culture and one's ancestors, helps a person understand him/herself. Talking with people who have learned about their ancestors usually demonstrates that a person acquires a sense of identity and a sense of belonging somewhere in history.
On the other side of this issue are some famous people. The 19th century American writer, Ambrose Bierce had this comment on history:
HISTORY n. An account, mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools.
Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister of England (1867,1874-80), said this:
Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.
Napoleon Bonaparte quipped,
What is history but a fable retold?
Nevertheless, the reading of history, especially as recorded by another country, helps people understand what is of importance and what values others have. Whether we learn from history is, indeed, dubious; but, at least, there is more understanding of other peoples by learning their history.
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