"The historian’s task is to present what actually happened. The more purely and completely he achieves this, the more perfectly has he solved this problem. A simple presentation is at the same time the primary indispensable condition of his work and the highest achievement he will be able to attain. Regarded in this way, he seems to be merely receptive and productive, not active and creative."
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Wilhelm von Humboldt, "The Historian’s Task" (1821).
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Historian
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Historian
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