A retentive memory is a good thing, but the ability to forget is the true token of greatness.

A retentive memory is a good thing, but the ability to forget is the true token of greatness.

But each day brings its petty dust our soon-choked souls to fill, and we forget because we must, and not read more

But each day brings its petty dust our soon-choked souls to fill, and we forget because we must, and not because we will.

Why is it that our memory is good enough to retain the least triviality that happens to us, and yet read more

Why is it that our memory is good enough to retain the least triviality that happens to us, and yet not good enough to recollect how often we have told it to the same person?

Remembrances embellish life but forgetfulness alone makes it
possible.
[Fr., Les souvenirs embellissent la vie, l'oubli seul la read more

Remembrances embellish life but forgetfulness alone makes it
possible.
[Fr., Les souvenirs embellissent la vie, l'oubli seul la rend
possible.]

Experience teaches that a strong memory is generally joined to a weak judgment.

Experience teaches that a strong memory is generally joined to a weak judgment.

Do not trust your memory; it is a net full of holes; the most
beautiful prizes slip through it.

Do not trust your memory; it is a net full of holes; the most
beautiful prizes slip through it.

Don't you remember, sweet Alice, Ben Bolt?
Sweet Alice, whose hair was so brown;
Who wept with read more

Don't you remember, sweet Alice, Ben Bolt?
Sweet Alice, whose hair was so brown;
Who wept with delight when you gave her a smile,
And trembl'd with fear at your frown!

Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see,
My heart untravelled, fondly turns to thee;
Still to my read more

Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see,
My heart untravelled, fondly turns to thee;
Still to my brother turns, with ceaseless pain,
And drags at each remove a lengthening chain.

The true art of memory is the art of attention.

The true art of memory is the art of attention.