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Most Powerful Quotes and Famous Sayings In History

There have been many great moments and inspiring people in history and this collection of quotes curated by the Oldreads review team prove these are some of the best spoken words we can certainly learn from.

1. "Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools." - Napoleon Bonaparte

2. "I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart." - Anne Frank

3. "There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” - Alexander the Great

4. "Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." - William Shakespeare

5. "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." - Thomas Edison

6. "It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." - Leonardo da Vinci

7. "It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one." - George Washington

8. "A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits." - Richard Nixon

9. "The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall." - Che Guevara

10. "A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines." - Benjamin Franklin

For plenty more historical content, check out Oldreads today.

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Common Sayings With Historical Origins

Here are some of the more unusual origin stories behind everyday phrases, curated by the Oldreads review team.

Turn a blind eye

Referred to as a refusal to acknowledge a particular reality, this phrase dates back to British naval hero Horatio Nelson during 1801’s Battle of Copenhagen. In this battle, Nelson’s ships were pitted against a large Danish-Norwegian fleet and when his superior officer flagged for him to withdraw, Nelson supposedly brought his telescope to his bad eye and blithely proclaimed, “I really do not see the signal,” and for this reason the phrase “turn a blind eye” persists to this day.

Crocodile tears

This phrase is used to describe a display of superficial sadness, and is believed to derive from crocodiles who apparently shed tears of sadness while they kill and consume their prey.

Diehard

This phrase refers to someone with a strong dedication to a set of beliefs and is believed to stem from the 1700s to describe condemned men who struggled the longest when they were executed by hanging.

For more great historical content, check out Oldreads today.

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History quotes from great historians

Read these famous history quotes and get drawn into the realms of the past, curated by the Oldreads review team.

"Our best history is still poetry."

Author: Ralph Waldo Emerson

"And having wisdom with each studious year, in meditation dwelt, with learning wrought, and shaped his weapon with an edge severe, sapping a solemn creed with solemn sneer."

Author: Lord Byron

"History is the devil's scripture."

Author: Lord Byron

"History is nothing but a pack of tricks that we play upon the dead."

Author: Voltaire

"He is the purest figure in history. [About George Washington]"

Author: William Gladstone

"The first duty of an historian is to be on guard against his own sympathies."

Author: James Froude

"History is a race between education and catastrophe."

Author: HG Wells

For plenty more great historical content, check out Oldreads today.

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Short History Quotes

One-liners, sayings and short history quotes is all that you will find here, curated by the Oldreads review team.

We learn from history that we learn nothing from history. George Santayana

History passes the final judgment. Sidney Poitier

Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history. Plato

History provides no precise guidelines. Douglas Hurd

History develops, art stands still. E. M. Forster

History is nothing but assisted and recorded memory. George Santayana

History takes time. History makes memory. Gertrude Stein

History has been the history of warfare. Godfrey Reggio

History is nothing if not an epic tale of missed opportunities. Graydon Carter

History is more or less bunk. Henry Ford

Ideas shape the course of history. John Maynard Keynes

Patriotism ruins history. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Difficulty is the excuse history never accepts. Edward R. Murrow

History’s a resource. Laura Linney

History laughs at both the victim and the aggressor. Mahmoud Darwish

Human history is highly nonlinear and unpredictable. Michael Shermer

The main thing is to make history, not to write it. Otto von Bismarck

Sometimes – history needs a push. Vladimir Lenin

We hire a man, not his history. Malcolm Forbes

For plenty more historical content, check out Oldreads today.

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New History Books Out in 2021

One of the interesting parts of reading about history is there is always another point of view or another story to tell about the same event. This means that even now in 2021, there are new history books being released, many of them available on Oldreads. Here are some of those new history books that are coming in 2021.

Timelines from Black History Leaders, Legends, Legacies By Mireille Harper

History is full of strong, independent, and courageous black people who have been the victims of violence and oppression. This book seeks to teach children those individuals, and the part they played in the progression of black rights. Among those mentioned are Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, and Dr. Martin Luther King.

Our Crime Was Being Jewish Hundreds of Holocaust Survivors Tell Their Stories By Anthony S. Pitch, Michael Berenbaum

Another fascinating story available on Oldreads is the treatment of the Jewish people during The Second World War. This book features 350 Holocaust survivors as they tell their accounts of the atrocities and how they survived.

Loving A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s-1950s by Hugh Nini, Neal Treadwell

Romantic relationships between men during the 1800s and into the 1900s was always dangerous. Many were arrested for such relationships, but there are still lots of memories from that time. This book shows moving and loving photographs taken by gay men from 1850 to 1950.

To read more books on history, why not check out the library at Oldreads.

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Best History Audiobooks

On the 27th April, it will be National Tell a Story Day. This is a great opportunity to get one of the many talented narrators to read you a story that will inspire and entertain. There are many such audiobooks on sites like Oldreads. However, here are some of the best history stories you can find on audiobooks.

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 by Garrett Graff

The tragedy of 9/11 was felt across the globe. However, only those who lived through the event will ever know what it really felt like. This book tells the story of some of the survivors using never-before-seen transcripts and other documents. The book starts on the day before 9/11, and carries on for the few months after the disaster.

Ordinary Men by Christopher Browning

A group of middle-aged men from Hamburg along with a long-serving policeman, were responsible for some of the worst atrocities of the Second World War. Here is the story of how they were able to get away with it, along with testimony that helps to understand why they did such atrocious acts. You can find this book on sites like Oldreads.

First Light by Geoffrey Wellum

During World War Two, there were many brave pilots that were thrust into the action at a young age. This book looks at the stories of some of those pilots, and describes the fear, camaraderie, and what it was like to fly the iconic Spitfire.

These are just some of the audiobooks you can listen to when you visit Oldreads.

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Best History Books For Children

Learning about historical events is a huge part of learning at school. Not only does it help children know what has happened in the past, but it also allows them to learn from past mistakes and success. The Oldreads website has many history books and some of them are perfect for teaching children about the past. Here are some of the best history books for children.

Blood-Curdling Box of Books (Horrible Histories) by Scholastic

Horrible Histories has been a TV series, a movie, and also a successful book series that can be found on Oldreads. They teach children about the events in the past in a way that doesn’t exclude any gory parts. However, it is also this that makes them so good for children to learn, and hugely popular.

History Year By Year by DK

Using over 1,500 illustrations, this book takes children on a journey from prehistoric life to today. This timeline can be invaluable for teaching children when events occurred and give them a sense of how long ago events took place.

Children's Illustrated History Atlas by DK

Along with learning about history, it is also important for children to learn where they live in the world, and what events took place in other countries. This children’s atlas does just that, by showing children in a fun way, the events in history around the world.

What Did the Tree See? by Charlotte Guillain

This book takes a unique angle to teach about history. You see the world through the eyes of a tree as it sees the countryside around it changing over many years. You can learn about farming, house building, and hunting along with many other events.

Take a look at Oldreads and see what other history books are available for children.

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Best Dance Music of All Time

On the 29th of April, the world will be celebrating International Dance Day, and no doubt, many of these dance music tracks found on sites like Oldreads will be played. The history of dance music goes back a long way, and there have been many tunes that are considered the best. Here are some of the best dance music tracks of all time.

Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z, “Crazy In Love” (2003)

With just a hint of 70’s funk, this debut solo track from Beyonce was a global hit. Together with an energetic music video, this cemented the singer as not only a major star but also elevated her to ‘Diva’ status.

M/A/R/R/S, “Pump Up the Volume” (1987)

This music track was considered the birth of sampling music in this way. The principal track that was sampled was an old Erik B. & Rakim song, but there were other tracks also used in this mixed tape, all of which can be found on Oldreads. It was a big success on both sides of the Atlantic and is still a popular track at parties and nightclubs.

Madonna, “Into the Groove” (1985)

A list of this type wouldn’t be complete without a track by Madonna. Into the Groove was one of her early tracks and it signaled her intention to be a big hit in the music world.

Chaka Khan, “I’m Every Woman” (1979)

If there is one track that is guaranteed to get women up on the dance floor, it is this hit from Chaka Khan. Many of her songs became dancefloor staples in the 1970s, and they continue to be popular especially this anthem for strong and independent women.

These are just a few of the best dance songs you can find on Oldreads. Why not check out the full library today.

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History Quotes from Presidents and Prime Ministers

If you love history you will love these quotes curated by the Oldreads review team from some of the most famous politicians in history.

No matter who you are or what you look like, how you started off, or how and who you love, America is a place where you can write your own destiny. Barack Obama

The long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all and not just some. Barack Obama

Nowhere is it ordained that history moves in a straight line. Barack Obama

As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It’s not always a straight line. It’s not always a smooth path. Barack Obama

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him. Dwight D. Eisenhower

The history of free men is never really written by chance but by choice; their choice! Dwight D. Eisenhower

Things have never been more like the way they are today in history. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and they expect the same of us. George W. Bush

History is moving, and it will tend toward hope, or tend toward tragedy. George W. Bush

Now, there are some who would like to rewrite history – revisionist historians is what I like to call them. George W. Bush

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments. George Washington

There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know. Harry S. Truman

Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Harry S. Truman

Study men, not historians. Harry S. Truman

Nixon is one of the few in the history of this country to run for high office talking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time and lying out of both sides. Harry S. Truman

The greatest honor history can bestow is that of peacemaker. Richard M. Nixon

Europe will never be like America. Europe is a product of history. America is a product of philosophy. Margaret Thatcher

Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation. Robert F. Kennedy

History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap. Ronald Reagan

History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is. Thomas Jefferson

I like dreams of the future better than the history of the past. Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

History is written by the victors. Winston Churchill

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it. Winston Churchill

Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft. Winston Churchill

The whole history of the world is summed up in the fact that, when nations are strong, they are not always just, and when they wish to be just, they are no longer strong. Winston Churchill

The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history. Woodrow Wilson

The history of liberty is a history of resistance. Woodrow Wilson

For plenty more history eBooks and podcasts, check out Oldreads.

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The Most Famous History Quotes from Presidents, Artists and Inventors and More

If you love history you will love these quotes curated by the Oldreads review team from some of the most famous politicians, artists and inventors in history.

History is a pack of lies we play on the dead. Voltaire

Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. Abraham Lincoln

Thank you for coming. We’re gonna make some history together today. Steve Jobs

The man who has no sense of history, is like a man who has no ears or eyes. Adolf Hitler

Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular. Aristotle

We learn from history that we don’t learn from history! Desmond Tutu

The Revolution introduced me to art, and in turn, art introduced me to the Revolution! Albert Einstein

History is merely gossip. Oscar Wilde

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Martin Luther King Jr

We are not makers of history. We are made by history. Martin Luther King Jr

Condemn me, it does not matter, history will absolve me. Fidel Castro

History shows that there are no invincible armies. Joseph Stalin

After making a mistake or suffering a misfortune, the man of genius always gets back on his feet. Napoleon Bonaparte

Soldiers, if there is one among you who wants to kill his general, his Emperor, here I am. Napoleon Bonaparte

History is a people’s memory, and without a memory, man is demoted to the lower animals. Malcolm X

Friends, I shall ask you to be as quiet as possible. I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot; but it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose. Theodore Roosevelt

When I was a child my mother said to me, ‘If you become a soldier, you’ll be a general. If you become a monk, you’ll be the Pope.’ Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso. Pablo Picasso

I won’t predict anything historic. But nothing is impossible. Michael Phelps

Black history is American history. Morgan Freeman

I don’t believe in accidents. There are only encounters in history. Pablo Picasso

There is properly no history; only biography. Ralph Waldo Emerson

To me, this is about preserving history and making it available to everyone. Sergey Brin

Indeed, history is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes. Voltaire

For plenty more history eBooks and podcasts, check out Oldreads.

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Learn About Important Events in Human History With These eBooks

eBooks provide one of the best ways to learn history. They allow you to develop an understanding of our world. Let’s take a look at some of the eBooks that will help you paint a picture of where you stand today.

A History of the 20th Century - Sir Martin John Gilbert

This eBook covers almost every pivotal event of the 1900s, allowing readers to understand what happened in the last century. The events shaped and fueled Martin’s passion for delving deeper into the brisk and compelling areas. Get this eBook at Oldreads.

Britain at Bay - Alan Allport

Initially published in 2020, Britain at Bay combines both military and social history. Alan centers mainly on how to illuminate how the Second World War transformed great Britain. Does he mention the world’s crucial historical story of the Britain War, putting in mind questions like could the war have been avoided? Were the strategies used relevant? The answers to these questions focus on the human contingencies of World War.

The Habsburgs - Martyn Rady

This eBook follows a story of a powerful family dynasty that dominated Europe for centuries. All their accomplishments were lost in over a millennium. He mentions that they had gained control of the Holy Roman Empire in the fifteenth century. Their constant belief that they were meant to rule the world made them lose all of their possession.

For more historical eBooks, head over to Oldreads.

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Expand Your Knowledge of The World with These History eBooks

History eBooks provide you with a rough idea of how your predecessors lived in the past. They are ideal if you want to learn about a new culture. Here is a list of some of the best-written history eBooks that Oldreads offers.

Uncrowned Queen – Nicola Tallis

Margaret Beaufort of Richmond never got the chance of becoming a queen. She manages to fulfill the role in all but name. The Tudor family takes the opportunity to rise to power and oversee the machinations of government upon Henry VII’s ascension, who was her son. Nicola takes us through the complex web of operations behind Margaret’s unlikely victory. In the end, Margaret emerges as a highly ambitious, determined, and power-hungry zealot.

The Dead Are Arising -Tamara Payne

Tamara stepped in to finish this Pulitzer Prize-winning book. The eBook tells the story about the biography of a civil rights leader Malcolm X. After its release, the book garnered an array of accolades and a spot on the 2020 National Book Awards shortlist. When the dead start rising, we discover Payne’s dedication to revealing the truth behind what was described as the mysterious journey.

Humankind - Rutger Bregman, Erica Moore

In this eBook, Rutger argues that humans can thrive in a crisis. The reason being: Our innate kindness and cooperation are the two greatest factors on the planet. After you complete reading this eBook, your perspective on humanity will change completely.

For more inspiring historical books, visit Oldreads.

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Be Aware of Your Past with Historical Audiobooks

Audiobooks are efficient since they eliminate the struggle that some individuals experience when decoding words in a sentence. History audiobooks assist in educating us more about the present by explaining past events. Here are three history audiobooks that will help you learn how things worked before.

Ordinary Men - Christopher Browning

A group of ordinary middle-aged men from Hamburg carried out the most unbelievable atrocities of the Holocaust. To make matters more interesting, a 53-year old policeman decides to lead them. Published in 1992, Ordinary men reveal some unsettling truth about some events that occurred in the past. Browning tries to emphasize the essence of knowing your culture.

Life and Fate - Vasily Grossman

Soviet writer Vasily Grossman authored one of the most recommended history audiobooks. Life and Fate are modelled on Tolstoy's war and peace. Many victims of World War II and the Holocaust are impacted negatively by the war for their lifetime. Mr. Grossman succeeds in educating us about the hardships that our predecessors experienced so we can have the freedom we are enjoying.

Alexander Hamilton -Ron Chernow

This audiobook packs an enormous punch of information in terms of cultural influence. The main character of the book establishes the first national bank in the United States. This lands him on the face of the 10-dollar bill. He now has a major responsibility for ensuring the efficiency of the bank at all times.

Do you want to learn about past events and how the world worked before? Register an account at Oldreads.com.

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Entertain Yourself With These Historical Ebooks

Familiarizing yourself with the past is very important, as it gives us insights into our traits and behaviors of life. Right from childhood, you should know your behavioral patterns as you age through the senior years. Below are some of the top historical eBooks that you should add to your to-read list.

The Book of Samurai - Antony Cummins

Authored and published in the English language, the historical eBook provides us with the teachings of the well-known samurai school Natori-Ryu. He is brought back to life through The Book of Samurai series. The first chapter reveals the translation of two secret scrolls. These two documents are an in-depth and detailed account of the samurai warfare tactics.

Prophet's Prey - Sam Brower

The story begins with a private investigator who cracks open the case that led to the arrest of Warren Jeffs. Jeff is referred to as the maniacal prophet of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). He gets convicted for his rogue sex, abuse of power, and several other criminal activities. Prophet Prey later discovers Jeffs’ hidden underground vault that reveals to readers the inside world of the much known FLDS members who vow to protect him with their lives.

1776 - David McCullough

1776 reveals the past events of the history of the United States. In the book, David mentions General George Washington and his authoritative trait. He also talks about the British commander Sir William Howe happens as a worthy enemy to the General.

Do you want to read interesting historical eBooks and learn about the past? Visit Oldreads.com.

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When WWII Didn’t End

For most people, the second World War ended in 1945. It was September 2nd, 1945, to be precise. On that day the Japanese formally signed surrender documents at Tokyo Bay on the deck of the American battleship USS Missouri, after surrendering in combat on August 15th of the same year. This, of course, was long after the Nazi armies were defeated by Allied forces. For one Japanese soldier, however, the war wouldn’t end until nearly 30 years later.

Hiro Onada was one of the many soldiers to fight for Japan during WWII. Loyal to the very end, Onada was one of a handful of soldiers sent on a mission to the Philippines and ordered to never surrender or take their own lives. The soldiers carried out raids and employed guerilla warfare tactics on local villages, tactics which unfortunately lead to several deaths. Onada was the last survivor of his platoon, and disconnected from regular contact with the mainland, he refused to believe the war was over until 1974. When he was found, Onada had to be officially relieved of duty by his commanding officer, who by then was an elderly book seller.

While much can be said for Onada’s fearlessness and loyalty, one could be forgiven for questioning his grip on reality. It remains, nonetheless, an interesting if not slightly troubling story among the many which arose from WWII.

Looking to relive history’s greatest moments? Visit our online library at Oldreads for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

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The History of The Term The Upper Crust

Look through the history books and you’ll find any number of odd origins for commonly used terms, and the term “upper crust” may be no different. That said, this particular terms may not have a definite origin, but rather several possible ones.

The first origin, as many commonly accept it to be, involves bread. Those thinking that “upper crust” refers to the top part of a loaf of bread may be thinking of an isolated instance of the terms from John Russell’s Boke of Nurture, circa 1460, which was one of the first printed books on household management. Translated into modern English, it states:

“Take a loaf…and lay [a trencher] before your lord; lay four trenchers four-square, and another on the top. Take a loaf of light bread, pare the edges, cut the upper crust for your lord.”

Of course, one problem with taking Russell’s text as the origin is that “upper crust” was only used to describe nobility as of the 19th century. It was only in the 19th century that another possible origin appeared, only this time the term was used to describe the human head or a hat. In 1826, The Sporting Magazine reported, “Tom completely tinkered his antagonist’s upper-crust.”

An honorable mention should go to Thomas Chandler Haliburton, who in his 1838 book The Clockmaker; or the sayings and doings of Samuel Slick of Slickville, wrote: “It was none o' your skim-milk parties, but superfine uppercrust real jam.” Not that we have any idea what that means.

Looking to relive history’s greatest moments? Visit our online library at Oldreads for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

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More Strange Stories From American History

Still haven’t had your fill of strange stories from American history! Well we’ve got you covered. Here are two more tales that’ll leave you shaking your head, you can find these stories, and many more, throughout the many ebooks and audiobooks offered at Oldreads.

The people vs tomatoes. While the city of Salem, MA will forever be remembered in history books for their many witch hunts, the city of Salem, NJ is certainly not one to be outdone. In 1820 the city had put tomatoes on trial, believing them to be poisonous. Legend has it that the trial was settled when Robert Gibbon Johnson, known more commonly as Colonel Johnson, ate a basket of tomatoes in the courthouse to prove they were safe for consumption. We assume any legal fees paid were more than enough to cover the cost of the tomatoes.

The inescapable war. Wilmer McLean’s farm in Manassas, Virginia was the setting for the first battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the American Civil War. Seeking to escape the fighting, as any sensible person would do, McLean moved over a hundred miles away to Appomattox, Virginia. Unfortunately for him, it was in his very house in Appomattox where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, thereby ending the conflict, but leaving McLean even more involved than prior to his move!

Ready to relive some of history’s greatest moments? Visit our online library at Oldreads for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.