If history records good things about good people, the thoughtful hearer is encouraged to imitate what is good; or if it records the evil of wicked people, the godly listener or reader is encouraged to avoid all that is sinful and bad, and to do what he knows to be good and pleasing to God.
Venerable BedeNo man taketh away sins (which the law, though holy, just and good, could not take away), but He in whom there is no sin.
Venerable Bede