Something about learning from the mistakes of history so that one or all of
us do not repeat those same errors.
War is just a continuation of the diplomatic process. VON CLAUSEWTIZ

John Philip Adams
Houston, Texas 77056

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
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Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 9:11 AM
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Subject: true worth of knowing anything

"What's the true worth of knowing yesterday other than to stir the today
to shape the text of tomorrow?" is a fair philosophical question (although
phrased here with an eye toward utility, which has not been civilization's
ONLY measure of worth?).

 What is the true worth of knowing? is also a question to which humankind
have offered many nuanced answers. But as pertains to knowledge of
history or the past, two alternative perspectives may be pertinent at the
moment:

   Patrick Henry advised us that in public affairs experience must be our
only guide, reason may mislead us .... and the great Swiss cultural
historian Jakob Burckhardt reminded us that history offers wisdom for
the long perspective more than cleverness for tomorrow.


Dr. Jon Kukla, Executive Vice-President
Red Hill - The Patrick Henry National Memorial
1250 Red Hill Road
Brookneal, Virginia 24528
www.redhill.org

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