Quotes from Steven Runciman

Faced by the mountainous heap of the minutiae of knowledge and awed by the watchful severity of his colleagues, the modern historian too often takes refuge in learned articles or narrowly specialized dissertations, small fortresses that are easy to defend from attack.

The triumphs of the crusades were the triumphs of faith. But faith without wisdom is a dangerous thing.

The Patriarch Joseph, after agreeing with the Latins that their formula of the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Son meant the same as the Greek formula of the Holy Ghost proceeding through the Son, fell ill and died. An unkind scholar remarked that after muddling his prepositions what else could he decently do?

Riches should come as the reward for hard work, preferably by one's forebears

Riches should come as the reward for hard work, preferably by one's forebears