阅读 ｜ 历史的终极目的

图片源于网络

People often wonder why historians go to so much trouble to preserve millions of books, documents and records of the past. Why do we have libraries? What good are these documents and the history books? Why do we record and save the actions of men, the negotiations of statesmen and the campaigns of armies?

人们常常心存疑虑，为什么历史学家要费尽周折地保存数以万计过去的书籍、文献和记录。我们为什么要有图书馆呢？这些文献和史书有何用处呢？我们为什么要记载并保存人类的行为、政治家的谈判和军人队伍的战役呢？

Because, sometimes, the voice of experience can cause us to stop, look and listen. And because, sometimes, past records, correctly interpreted, can give us warning of what to do and what not to do.

因为有时候经验之谈能促使我们停步、观察和倾听。也因为有时候过去的记载经过正确的诠释，可以给我们一种警示，告诉我们何事可做、何事不可做。

If we are ever to create enduring peace, we must seek its origins in human experience and in the record of human idealism. From the story of the fortitude, courage and devotion of men and women, we create the inspirations of youth. From stories of the ancient cave dwellers right down to today's environmental activists, history records people's success, intelligence and strength. Surely from these records there can come help to mankind in our confusions and promote and in our desires for peace.

如果我们想要永保和平，我们就必须从人类经验以及人类追求理想的历程中去探索其渊源。从体现男性和女性不屈不挠、勇敢和奉献精神的故事之中，我们获得了青春的启示。远自基督教殉道者，近到布达佩斯的当代英勇烈士，历史记载着人类的一切苦难、克己、忠诚和英勇的事迹。当然，那些记载一定会对处于困惑、茫然和渴望和平的人们有所助益。

The supreme purpose of history is a better world. History gives a warning to those who would promote war. History brings inspiration to those who seek peace. In short, history helps us learn. Yesterday's records can keep us from repeating yesterday's mistakes. And from all these records, we can see the progress of mankind.

历史的终极目的是创造一个更加美好的世界。历史对那些力主战争的人加以警告。对于那些追寻和平的人予以启示。简而言之，历史帮助我们学习。昨日的记载可以使我们避免重蹈覆辙。而这些由历史学家所汇集的镶嵌图案艺术品，将会逐渐成为表现人类进步的伟大壁画。