Excerpt of the day

The facts of a case are not always apparent. But where they are, the existence of these facts is a healthy tonic for the imagination. Arendt relates a conversation between [French Prime Minister Georges] Clemenceau and a representative of the Weimer Republic over the question of Germany's guilt in the outbreak of World War I. "'What, in your opinion,' Clemenceau was asked, 'will future historians think of this troublesome and controversial issue?' He replied, 'This I don't know. But I know for certain they will not say Belgium invaded Germany.'"

From John Gerring's Social Science Methodology: A Critical Framework.