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 true historian is one who can see the patterns in history.
It is a well-known fact that the world and its inhabitants are subject to change and transformation, and that the conditions of nations and generations do not remain constant.
The science of history, then, is a noble science, one that is highly useful, and one that makes us acquainted with the conditions of past nations, their morals, their prophets, and their kings.
Governments, like individuals, have their natural lives, and their terms are fixed.
The strength of a state lies in its 'asabiyyah' (group solidarity).
When civilization reaches its peak, it begins to decline.
The Bedouins are closer to goodness than sedentary people.
Luxury corrupts the character and weakens the 'asabiyyah'.
The purpose of history is to make us acquainted with the conditions of past nations, their morals, their prophets, and their kings.
The true nature of things is hidden from us, and we can only perceive their outward appearances.
Man is by nature a social being.
The state is a necessary institution for human society.
Justice is the foundation of all good governance.
The rise and fall of states is a cyclical process.
Knowledge is the most precious of all possessions.
The human soul is capable of great achievements.
The world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.
Patience is a virtue.
Truth is the ultimate goal of all inquiry.