Ibn Khaldun
Father of sociology and historiography
Most quoted
"History is the record of human society, or world civilization; of the changes that take place in the nature of that society, such as savagery, sociability, and group solidarity; of the revolutions and uprisings by one set of people against another with the resulting kingdoms and states, with their various ranks and the different occupations and sciences to which they devote themselves; and, finally, of all the changes that occur in all these phenomena, as dictated by the nature of events."
— from Muqaddimah, 1377
"History is, in reality, no more than the record of human society, or world civilization; of the changes that take place in the nature of that society, such as savagery, sociability, and group solidarity; of the revolutions and uprisings by one set of people against another with the resulting kingdoms and states, with their various ranks and the activities that people undertake in their different occupations and sciences, and, in general, of all the transformations that society undergoes."
— from Muqaddimah
"History is the record of human society, or world civilization; of the changes that take place in the nature of that society, such as savagery, sociability, and group solidarity; of the revolutions and uprisings by one set of people against another with the resulting kingdoms and states, with their various ranks and the activities that human beings undertake in their different occupations and sciences, and, in general, of all the transformations that society undergoes."
— from Muqaddimah
All quotes by Ibn Khaldun (397)
The decline of a state is often marked by internal strife and external threats.
The Bedouins are the raw material of civilization, while the sedentary people are its finished product.
The state is a necessary evil, but it can be a force for good if it is guided by justice and wisdom.
The sciences are not static; they evolve and change over time, just like human societies.
The purpose of education is to cultivate the intellect and to instill moral values.
The sedentary population, due to their pursuit of luxury, becomes soft and effeminate.
The Bedouins, due to their harsh lifestyle, are hardy and resilient.
The state is a living organism, with a birth, growth, and death.
The sciences are interconnected, and progress in one field often leads to progress in others.
The decline of a state is often accompanied by a loss of religious fervor and moral decay.
The Bedouins, despite their simplicity, possess a strong sense of honor and loyalty.
The sedentary population, due to their complex social structure, is prone to intrigue and factionalism.
The state is a reflection of the society it governs, and its strengths and weaknesses are those of its people.
The sciences are a means to understand the world and to improve human life.
The decline of a state is often hastened by the rise of new, more vigorous groups.
The Bedouins are the source of 'asabiyyah', which is the driving force behind the rise of states.
The sedentary population, due to their pursuit of material wealth, loses its spiritual values.
The state, in its final stages, becomes tyrannical and oppressive.
The sciences are a universal human endeavor, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries.
The decline of a state is often accompanied by a loss of military power and a weakening of its borders.