This is what historians usually do, quibble about cause and effect when the point is, there are times when the world is in flux and the right voice in the right place can move the world. Thomas Paine and Ben Franklin, for instance. Bismark. Lenin.
Orson Scott CardThat's the problem with winning right from the start, thought Ender. you lose friends.
Orson Scott CardYou know how writers are... they create themselves as they create their work. Or perhaps they create their work in order to create themselves.
Orson Scott CardOh, Val," said Father. "All you have to do is live your life, and everyone around you will be happier." "No greatness, then." "Val," said Mother, "goodness trumps greatness any day." "Not in the history books," said Valentine. "Then the wrong people are writing history, aren't they?" said Father.
Orson Scott Card