On the Studying of History

"One of the greatest means to make a man wise is to have studied histories... and to have learned to frame and proportion our counsels and undertakings according to the model and example of our predecessors. For our life is but of short duration, and insufficient to give us experience of so many things."

Philippe de Comines, from his historical work known as Memoires,
written in the second half of the 15th century.

As quoted by Will Durant in The Reformation, page 100