--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Part of the function of memory is to…" description: "\"Part of the function of memory is to forget; the omni-retentive mind will break down and produce at best an idiot savant who can recite a telephone boo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/christopher-hitchens-117_book_part-of-the-function-of-memory-is-to-for_1597889.jpg" --- # Part of the function of memory is to forget; the… ![“Part of the function of memory is to forget; the omni-retentive mind will break down and produce at best an idiot savant who can recite a telephone book, and at worst a person to whom every grudge and slight is as yesterday's.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/christopher-hitchens-117_book_part-of-the-function-of-memory-is-to-for_1597889.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/christopher-hitchens-117_book_part-of-the-function-of-memory-is-to-for_1597889.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18f/christopher-hitchens-117_book_part-of-the-function-of-memory-is-to-for_1597889.jpg) > “Part of the function of memory is to forget; the omni-retentive mind will break down and produce at best an idiot savant who can recite a telephone book, and at worst a person to whom every grudge and slight is as yesterday's.” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Memory must discard to function; a mind that never forgets becomes overloaded, leading to narrow expertise or perpetual resentment. **In simple terms:** Forgetting is essential for healthy cognition. Key Takeaway Allow forgetting to keep mind flexible. Themes memory cognition balance Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - personal growth - conflict resolution - learning strategies - mental health Key Concepts cognitive overload emotional baggage Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide what to let go? - What benefits arise from selective forgetting? A Different Perspective A mind that never forgets can become toxic or overly specialized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Break](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/break/) [Breaking down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaking-down/) [Down and](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down-and/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Function Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function-memory-5429707/) [Grudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grudge/) [Idiot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiot/) [Idiot Savant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiot-savant-968834/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Memory Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory-forget-969638/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Person Grudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-grudge-2140104/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Produce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/produce/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Savants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savants/) [Telephones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telephones/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) [Yesterday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yesterday/) ## Related quotes > [Holding a grudge does not hurt the person against whom the grudge is held, it hurts the one who holds it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/holding-a-grudge-does-not-hurt-the-person-against-whom-the-grudge-is/) [Booker T. 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