“He who rests satisfied with the general relation of affairs, not fixing upon some eminent actor in that story, loseth its greatest benefit.”

Stanley argues that individual lives make history more immediate and instructive. · Preface, The History of Philosophy, 1655

• Biography
• History
• Learning

“History, which by expounding actions past teacheth to regulate the future, and furnisheth us with wisdom at the cost of other mens experience.”

He presents history as a practical teacher whose lessons can be learned without repeating the past. · Preface, The History of Philosophy, 1655

• History
• Learning
• Wisdom