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 ruler should be a man of knowledge and wisdom.
The purpose of government is to ensure justice and order.
The sciences are a product of human civilization.
The more people there are in a city, the more diverse their occupations and skills.
The rise of a new dynasty is often accompanied by a strong 'asabiyyah.
The decline of a dynasty is often accompanied by a weakening of its 'asabiyyah.
The study of history is essential for understanding the present and planning for the future.
The state is a necessary evil.
The world is constantly changing, and so must our understanding of it.
The human mind is capable of great things.
The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor.
The true measure of a civilization is its intellectual achievements.
The past is a lesson for the present and a guide for the future.
The state is a natural phenomenon, like the growth of a tree.
The 'asabiyyah is a powerful force that can unite or divide people.
The study of history is a continuous process of discovery and reinterpretation.
The purpose of the state is to protect the rights of its citizens.
The world is full of wonders, and we should never stop exploring them.
The pursuit of truth is the highest goal of human endeavor.
The more we learn, the more we realize how much we don't know.