History is no more than the portrayal of crimes and misfortunes

History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

Properly speaking, history is nothing but the crimes and misfortunes of the human race.

History is just a portrayal of crimes and misfortunes.

History is nothing but a pack of tricks that we play upon the dead.

The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.