I like the way Brands begins his essay with a quote by Cromwell. That quote is documented, but the following one may be apocryphal. However, someone once said that many stories are true, even if they're not true. That oxymoronic statement, of course, means that a story may illustrate a general truth even if it didn't literally occur. Anyway, Brands' quote that "the powerful are prone to hubris," reminds me of this Cromwell story: Cromwell and an aide were riding to Parliament one day and the adoring crowds were cheering him wildly. He allegedly said to his aide: "Beware the fickleness of the mob. The same people who are cheering us today would jeer us just as loudly tomorrow if we were standing on the gallows waiting to be hanged."
Dr. Brands, I completely agree that the greatest value of asking what if we're wrong is what grounds us in humility which I think many have forgotten. Thank you for these articles....love them!
I like the way Brands begins his essay with a quote by Cromwell. That quote is documented, but the following one may be apocryphal. However, someone once said that many stories are true, even if they're not true. That oxymoronic statement, of course, means that a story may illustrate a general truth even if it didn't literally occur. Anyway, Brands' quote that "the powerful are prone to hubris," reminds me of this Cromwell story: Cromwell and an aide were riding to Parliament one day and the adoring crowds were cheering him wildly. He allegedly said to his aide: "Beware the fickleness of the mob. The same people who are cheering us today would jeer us just as loudly tomorrow if we were standing on the gallows waiting to be hanged."
I concur with Michael about the articles: "love them!"
Dr. Brands, I completely agree that the greatest value of asking what if we're wrong is what grounds us in humility which I think many have forgotten. Thank you for these articles....love them!
Michael