Full Idea
We can learn from the work of philosophers of other periods only if we are prepared to run the risk of radical and almost inevitable misrepresentation of his thought.
Gist of Idea
We can only learn from philosophers of the past if we accept the risk of major misrepresentation
Source
Crispin Wright (Frege's Concept of Numbers as Objects [1983], Pref)
Book Reference
Wright,Crispin: 'Frege's Conception of Numbers' [Scots Philosophical Monographs 1983], p.-12
A Reaction
This sounds about right, and a motto for my own approach to Aristotle and Leibniz, but I see the effort as more collaborative than this suggests. Professional specialists in older philosophers are a vital part of the team. Read them!