赫伯特·克拉克·胡佛/Herbert Clark Hoover
People often wonder why historians go to so much trouble to preserve millions of books, documents and records of the past. Why do we have libraries? What good are these documents and the history books? Why do we record and save the actions of men, the negotiations of statesmen and the campaigns of armies?
Because, sometimes, the voice of experience can cause us to stop, look and listen. And because, sometimes, past records, correctly interpreted, can give us warning of what to do and what not to do.
If we are ever to create enduring peace, we must seek its origins in human experience and in the record of human idealism. From the story of the fortitude, courage and devotion of men and women, we create the inspirations of youth. From stories of the Christian martyrs, right down to Budapest's heroic martyrs of today, history records the suffering, the self-denial, the devotion and the heroic deeds of men. Surely from these records there can come help to mankind in our confusions and perplexities, and in our yearnings for peace.
The supreme purpose of history is a better world. History gives a warning to those who would promote war. History brings 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 mosaic assembled by historians come the great murals which represent the progress of mankind.
人们常常不能理解，历史学家为什么要千方百计地去保存数以百万计的历史书籍、文献和史实？我们为什么要有图书馆？这些文献和史书又有什么用处？我们为什么要记载并保存人类的行为、政治家的谈判和军队的征战？
因为经验之音可以帮助我们驻足、观察和倾听。还因为过去的记载经过正确的检验，可以给我们以警示，告诉我们该做什么，不该做什么。