Charles Sumner: “Even the most illustrious characters, whose names still shine from…”

On the record

Even the most illustrious characters, whose names still shine from that distant night, were little more than splendid barbarians.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

He describes the prominent figures of antiquity as having significant flaws despite their achievements.

More from Charles Sumner

Working-men of Europe, desire abolition of war, XVIII. 236.

Opening of United States courts to colored, XI. 389.

Disunion no remedy for grievances of, VII. 33.

Consent of the governed necessary in forming new governments of, XII. 298.

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Charles Sumner: “Even the most illustrious characters, whose names still shine from that distant night, were little more than splendid…”