96 Quotes by Ken Burns

People tend to forget that the word “history” contains the word “story”.

The only art form that Americans have created that’s recognized around the world is jazz music born in a community that had the peculiar experience of being unfree in a free land.

It’s difficult to dispel arrogance if you retain ignorance.

History’s just been made for sale to an inside deal.

Read. The book is still the greatest manmade machine of all – not the car, not the TV, not the smartphone.

Do something that will last and be beautiful. It doesn’t have to be a bridge-or a symphony or book or a business. It could be the look in the eye of a child you raise or a simple garden you tend. Do something that will last and be beautiful.

History isn’t really about the past – settling old scores. It’s about defining the present and who we are.

Wynton told us that Miles sold out, just wanted to make more money, just wanted to sell more records. I don’t believe that Miles sold out but I’m not in a position to say.

History doesn’t repeat itself, but human nature remains the same.