“History is a set of lies agreed upon.”
- August 15, 1769 – May 5, 1821
- French of Italian descent
- French military officer and emperor
- Reorganized Europe after the French Revolution and built the foundations of the legal system in modern Europe
Quote
“History is a set of lies agreed upon.”
Explanation
In this statement, Napoleon Bonaparte offers a skeptical view of history, suggesting that what we often accept as historical truth is, in fact, a collection of subjective interpretations shaped by bias, power, and consensus. By calling history “a set of lies agreed upon,” he implies that historical narratives are not objective records of facts, but rather constructs shaped by those in power and influenced by political or cultural motives. Napoleon’s perspective suggests that history is often distorted, simplified, or selectively presented to serve particular agendas, and that the “truth” of history is as much about collective agreement as it is about objective reality.
This insight is relevant to the study of history, where interpretation and bias inevitably play a role in how events are recorded and remembered. The winners of conflicts, those in positions of authority, and the dominant voices in society often shape historical narratives, leading to selective portrayals that may omit or alter uncomfortable details. For example, colonial histories have often been told from the perspective of colonizers, leaving out or marginalizing the experiences of indigenous people.
Napoleon’s statement reminds us to approach historical accounts with critical thinking and awareness of potential biases. It encourages us to question, seek multiple perspectives, and recognize that history is rarely a complete or unbiased reflection of the past. By acknowledging the complexities and subjective elements in historical narratives, we can strive for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of history that considers diverse voices and experiences. This perspective fosters a more balanced view, recognizing that what we consider “history” is often a mixture of fact and interpretation shaped by those who tell the story.
