88 Quotes by Norman Davies

Capacity of human societies both to absorb and to discard cultures is much underestimated.

Northern Ireland must, in future, be absorbed into the Irish republic. Wales and Scotland must advance from devolution to full independent status. The four nations of these islands must commit themselves absolutely to the project of a United Europe.

The United Kingdom is not, and never has been, a nation state.

Any historian worth their salt should be aware of wars, conflicts, catastrophes. They happen. This is part of the panorama.

At the end of the Roman Empire, in the Byzantine period, the empire shrinks and shrinks until it consists of one city, Constantinople, and the Ottoman Turks can encircle it.

The question is whether a confident Europe will be a rival for North America - or whether they will work together and become a more unified bloc.

One might have thought that 70 years was time enough to work out what really happened in 1939. It isn't the case. Misunderstandings and misinformation abound.

In the 21st century, there will probably be a reflex against the disintegration of traditional European culture. What started as a reaction will come full circle, and there will be a return to the roots.

The one certainly for anyone in the path of an avalanche is this: standing still is not an option.