英國哲學家和科學家培根曾經說過:"讀史使人明智。"歷史通過文獻和史書告訴我們前人的經驗和教訓,就像一個智慧的老人一樣給我們寶貴的建議,讓我們可以吸取教訓,少走彎路,最終創(chuàng)造一個更加美好的世界。
People often wonder why historians go to so much trouble to preserve millions of books, documents and records. Why do we have libraries? What good are these documents and history books? Why do we record and save the actions of men, the negotiations1 of government officials and the events during wars? We do it because, sometimes, the voice of experience can cause us to stop, look and listen. Sometimes, past records, when understood in the right way, can help us decide what to do and what not to do. If we are ever to create lasting peace, we must seek its origins in human experience and in the records of human history. From the stories of courage and devotion of men and women, we create the inspirations of youth. History records the suffering, the self-denial2, the devotion, and the heroic3 deeds of people in the past. These records can help us when we are confused and when we really need peace. The main purpose of history is to create a better world. History gives a warning to those who promote war, and inspiration to those who seek peace. In short, history helps us learn. Yesterday’s records can keep us from repeating yesterday’s mistakes. And from the pieces of mosaic4 assembled5 by historians come the great murals6 which represent the progress of mankind.
人們常常心存疑慮,為什么歷史學家要費盡周折地保存數(shù)以萬計的書籍、文獻和記錄。 我們?yōu)槭裁匆袌D書館呢？這些文獻和史書有何用處呢? 我們?yōu)槭裁匆涊d并保存人類的行為、政府官員的談判和戰(zhàn)爭中的事件呢？ 我們這么做的原因在于有時候經驗之音能促使我們停步、觀察和傾聽。也因為有時候過去的記載經過正確地詮釋,能幫助我們決定何事可為、何事不可為。如果我們想要創(chuàng)造永久的和平,我們就必須從人類的經驗以及人類歷史的記載中去探索其淵源。 從體現(xiàn)男性和女性勇敢和奉獻精神的故事之中,我們獲得了青春的啟示。歷史記載著人類的一切苦難、克己、忠誠和英勇的事跡。這些記載在我們困惑和渴望和平時能對我們有所幫助。 歷史的主要目的是創(chuàng)造一個更加美好的世界。歷史對那些力主戰(zhàn)爭的人給以警告,給予那些尋求和平的人以啟示。 簡而言之,歷史幫助我們學習。昨日的記載可以使我們避免重蹈覆轍。這些歷史學家們創(chuàng)作的像馬賽克一樣色彩繽紛的歷史片斷匯聚成了代表人類進步的偉大壁畫。