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)
When society is organized, it is necessary to have a ruler who will restrain the people from attacking one another and will settle their disputes.
Man is by nature a social being, needing to live in groups.
The strength of a state lies in its 'asabiyyah (group solidarity).
The individual, when he is alone, is too weak to satisfy his needs.
The state is an institution that prevents injustice, but it is also a source of injustice.
The rise and fall of states is a natural process, like the life cycle of an individual.
Luxury corrupts the 'asabiyyah and leads to the decline of the state.
The more civilized a society becomes, the weaker its 'asabiyyah.
The purpose of history is to make us understand the present and foresee the future.
The Arabs are a people who, if they are not united by a prophet or a great religious movement, are prone to internal strife and disunity.
The sciences are born in cities and flourish there.
The ruler who governs with justice and mercy will be loved by his people.
The best way to learn is by doing.
The purpose of education is to prepare individuals for life in society.
The state is like a human body; it has a life cycle of birth, growth, maturity, and decline.
The more complex a society, the greater the need for a strong government.
The true meaning of history is to understand the causes of events, not just to record them.
The 'asabiyyah is the foundation of all political power.
The decline of a state begins when its 'asabiyyah weakens.
The study of history is the study of human civilization.