Im having trouble explaining this quote...HELP?

Question

"The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things rotten through and through, to avoid." -titus livy

Answer 1

Titus Livy was an Ancient Roman (born in 59BC and died 17 CE) writer whose works were historical narratives. He is suggesting that people, namely Romans at his time, can understand their own and their countries perspective place.

In other words, understand how broad and old and amazing and awful the world actually is and your problems are more easily put in perspective.

You can see past mistakes ("base things rotten ... to aviod) and try not to make them. You can see great acheivement ("fine things to take as models") and try live like that.

Answer 2

from the study of history we can see human experience set out for all to see and from that record we can take what is good for us and reject what is not good for us.

Answer 3

silly billy here oh yeah he go boom boom ya boom baby ok no seriously let me answer this one with SERIOUS billy brains.

The quote probably means, that humanity urges for HISTORY, especially when the mind has been misguided or damaged or depressed.  The quote explains why it is history is a natural remedy, because human experience is the actual remedy, not history itself.  A history of dogs would not medicate the sick mind.  Look at human experience then you know where you came from, and therefore you know what you are, and it's easy to know who you can be from that... in essence, knowing what you are is the REMEDY.... and avoid the mistakes that what you are can make.

Silly Billy has spoken.