Memory Quotes – 2

“We who are quotatious are never truly alone,
but always hear the cheerful flow of remarks
made by dead writers so much more intelligent than we”
Joseph Epstein
 
Mark Twain - writer, genius, wit, and known for his clever quotes

Mark Twain, American author and humourist, 1835-1910

From the earliest times, we have tried to communicate, though the earliest efforts consisted of not much more than grunts and facial expressions. The long, slow development of language was one of the most important stages in human evolution. It’s one of the things that separates us from all other creatures on this planet.

Fast-forward to the modern era. Now we can write down our thoughts and commit them to a permanency that allows one generation to benefit from the achievements of its forebears.

Not all of what’s written down, of course, is of lasting value. Some of it, to be sure, is best forgotten. But of the good stuff, there is amongst it sometimes a spark of genius, or uncommon insight, that simply begs to be shared.

And here we are, at yet another page that brings together and memorialises some of those shards of brilliance from a firmament that’s often otherwise overcast. Settle back for a while and immerse yourself in the thoughts of some of the world’s great thinkers … and a few others who slipped in when no-one was looking.


A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen – Edward de Bono

This is a typically unique way of looking at things. If Edward de Bono were a chef, he’d be celebrated as one of the world’s great chefs. He brings insight and uniqueness into play, and what he creates delights the mind, in the same way a great meal delights the tastebuds.


A very beautiful woman hardly ever leaves a clear-cut impression of features and shape in the memory: usually there remains only an aura of living color – William Bolitho
 

Every man can be left a gibbering wreck in the company of great beauty. The memory remains, of course, but as Mr. Bolitho implies, it is often no more than a vague and compelling series of impressions. This war of the sexes … it’s just not being played fair really, is it?


Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag – Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918 – 2008)

Great advice from a great writer and a great survivor.


When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not – Mark Twain (1835 – 1910)
 

I could fill pages with Mark Twain’s wit and wisdom. He also said the only difference between a taxman and a taxidermist is the taxidermist leaves the skin!


We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten – Cesare Pavese 1908-1950

The truly rich moments in life are indeed … moments. Maybe we should strive to savour exceptional moments using as many senses as possible; sometimes just an aroma or a particular, long-forgotten sound can bring back a rush of memories that were only moments in the making.


It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life – P.D. James

Oh, I remember so many of those wonderful days … or are they just prototype ‘memories’, manufactured in the recesses of the mind for later reproduction, of ideal days that were, maybe only or twice, just absolutely perfect …


It’s a poor sort of memory that only works backward – Lewis Carroll (1832 – 1898)
 

I agree … I think …


Leftovers in their less visible form are called memories. Stored in the refrigerator of the mind and the cupboard of the heart – Thomas Fuller
 

Nice way of putting it. And we all know how important it is to keep the fridge clean and hygienic, and the cupboards free of clutter.


I’ve never tried to block out the memories of the past, even though some are painful. I don’t understand people who hide from their past. Everything you live through helps to make you the person you are now – Sophia Loren
 

It’s true, what happened to you made you who you are – why hide from it or pretend it never happened.

Incidentally, Miss Loren is surely one of those women William Bolitho was talking about (see the quote above) … a woman of truly uncommon beauty.


Pleasure is the flower that passes; remembrance, the lasting perfume – Jean de Boufflers
 

How well a thought can be expressed, and in so few words.


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