on historical method
People always think the greatest war is the one they are fighting at the moment, and when that is over they are more impressed with the wars of antiquity; but, even so, this war will prove, to all who look at the facts, that it was greater than the others.
This history may not be the most delightful to hear, since there is no mythology in it. But those who want to look into the truth of what was done in the past -- which, given the human condition, will recur in the future, either in the same fashion or nearly so -- those readers will find this History valuable enough, as this was composed to be a lasting possession and not to be heard for a prize at the moment of a contest.
Thucydides, On Justice, Power, and Human Nature
This history may not be the most delightful to hear, since there is no mythology in it. But those who want to look into the truth of what was done in the past -- which, given the human condition, will recur in the future, either in the same fashion or nearly so -- those readers will find this History valuable enough, as this was composed to be a lasting possession and not to be heard for a prize at the moment of a contest.
Thucydides, On Justice, Power, and Human Nature