A man of great memory without learning hath a rock and a spindle and no staff to spin.

A man of great memory without learning hath a rock and a spindle and no staff to spin.

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

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

A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience.

A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience.

The true art of memory is the art of attention.

The true art of memory is the art of attention.

Though sands be black and bitter black the sea,
Night lie before me and behind me night,
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Though sands be black and bitter black the sea,
Night lie before me and behind me night,
And God within far Heaven refuse to light
The consolation of the dawn for me,--
Between the shadowy burns of Heaven and Hell,
It is enough love leaves my soul to dwell
With memory.

Many a man fails to become a thinker only because his memory is too good.

Many a man fails to become a thinker only because his memory is too good.

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.]

Yet how much less it were to gain,
Though thou hast left me free,
The loveliest things read more

Yet how much less it were to gain,
Though thou hast left me free,
The loveliest things that still remain,
Than thus remember thee.

Memory is not wisdom; idiots can by rote repeat volumes. Yet what is wisdom without memory?

Memory is not wisdom; idiots can by rote repeat volumes. Yet what is wisdom without memory?