The Cycle of History: Lessons from Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 1:9 New International Version

”What has been will be again,
    what has been done will be done again;
    there is nothing new under the sun.”

If nothing is new, as is stated in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, then all things are some iteration of the past. We can benefit from this truth, by studying history.

What can we learn?

Below is a description of the French Revolution from the book by ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE.

“Meanwhile, the Revolution followed its own course. No sooner did the head of this monster make its appearance, than its peculiar and terrifying character emerged. It first destroyed the political and then the civil institutions; it changed the laws and then the customs, procedures and even the language. After wrecking the fabric of government, it undermined the foundations of society and seemed, in essence, to aim at challenging God himself.” 

ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE The Ancien Régime
and the French Revolution Translated and edited by GERALD BEVAN 

First published 1856

Read an overview or buy the book.

Map of the Iron Curtain

Iron Curtain
Map of Iron Curtain

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Let them eat cake.

Marie Antoinette: Let them eat cake.
“Let them eat cake.”

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