People often wonder why historians go to so much trouble to preserve millions of books, documents and records of the past. Why do we have libraries? What good are these documents and the history books? why do we record and save the actions of men, the negotiations of statesmen and the campaigns of armies?

人们常常心怀疑虑，为什么历史学家要费尽周折去保存数以百万计的历史书籍、文献和记录？我们为什么要有图书馆？这些文献和史书有何用处？我们为什么要记载并保存人类的行为、政治家的谈判和军队的征战呢？

Because, somethings, the voice of experience can cause us to stop, look and listen. And because, sometimes, past records, correctly interpreted, can give us warning of what to do and what not to do.

因为，有时经验之音能促使我们驻足、观察和倾听。也因为，有时过去的记载经过正确的诠释，可以给我们以警示，告诉我们有所为，有所不为。

If we are ever to create enduring peace, we must seek its origins in human experience and in the record of human idealism. From the story of the fortitude, courage and devotion of men and women, we create the inspirations of youth. From stories of the Christian martyrs, right down to Budapest's heroic martyrs of today, history records the suffering, the self-denial, the devotion and the heroic deeds of men. Surely from these records there can come help to mankind in our confusions and perplexities, and in our yearnings for peace.

如果我们想要创造持久的和平，我们就必须从人类的经验和人类追求理想的记录之中去探求其渊源。从男男女女刚毅、勇敢和风险的故事中，我们得出了青春的灵感。远自基督教殉道者的故事，近至当代布达佩斯英勇烈士，历史记载一定会对处于困惑、茫然之中并渴望和平的人们有所裨益。

The supreme purpose of history is a better world. History gives a warning to those who would promote war. History brings inspiration to those who seek peace. In short, history helps us learn. Yesterday's records can keep us from repeating yesterday's mistakes. And from the pieces of mosaic assembled by historians come the great murals which represent the progress of mankind.

历史的最高目标是让世界变得更加美好。历史对那些力主战争的人加以警告，对那些追寻和平的人予以鼓励。简而言之，历史帮助我们学习。昨日的记载可以使我们避免重蹈覆辙。而这些由历史学家所拼合的无数镶嵌图案，将成为表现人类进步伟大壁画。