451
The best that history gives us is the enthusiasm it arouses.
452
The historian’s duty is twofold: first towards himself, then towards his readers. As regards himself, he must carefully examine into the things that could have happened; and, for the reader’s sake, he must determine what actually did happen. His action towards himself is a matter between himself and his colleagues; but the public must not see into the secret that there is little in history which can be said to be positively determined.
453
The historian’s duty is to separate the true from the false, the certain from the uncertain, and the doubtful from that which cannot be accepted.