There is no one to tell us what might have been. We weep over the might have been, but there is no might have been. There never was. It is supposed to be true that those who do not know history are condemned to repeat it. I don't believe knowing can save us. What is constant in history is greed and foolishness and a love of blood and this is a thing that even God- who knows all that can be known- seems powerless to change.
The passage reflects a deep sense of resignation regarding the nature of human history, suggesting that pondering the past and what might have been is ultimately futile. The author emphasizes that there is no alternative reality that we can explore, and the lamentation over lost opportunities is unwarranted. History is painted as a relentless cycle of greed, foolishness, and violence that perpetuates itself regardless of our awareness or understanding of it.
Moreover, the statement presents a cynical view on the value of historical knowledge. While many believe that learning from the past can prevent repetition of mistakes, the author questions this notion, asserting that human tendencies towards greed and violence are ingrained and seemingly unchangeable, even to a divine observer. This perspective highlights a despairing view of human nature and its unyielding patterns throughout time.
