--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Memory must be patchy; what is more…" description: "\"Memory must be patchy; what is more alarming is its face-savingness. Something in one shrinks from catching it out - unique to oneself, one's own, one'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a5/elizabeth-bowen-1197_catching_memory-must-be-patchy-what-is-more-alarm_1467446.png" --- # Memory must be patchy; what is more alarming is its… ![“Memory must be patchy; what is more alarming is its face-savingness. Something in one shrinks from catching it out - unique to oneself, one's own, one's claim to identity, it implicates one's identity in its fibbing.” quote by Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a5/elizabeth-bowen-1197_catching_memory-must-be-patchy-what-is-more-alarm_1467446.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a5/elizabeth-bowen-1197_catching_memory-must-be-patchy-what-is-more-alarm_1467446.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a5/elizabeth-bowen-1197_catching_memory-must-be-patchy-what-is-more-alarm_1467446.png) > “Memory must be patchy; what is more alarming is its face-savingness. Something in one shrinks from catching it out - unique to oneself, one's own, one's claim to identity, it implicates one's identity in its fibbing.” [Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bowen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Memory is selective and protects itself, often hiding truths to preserve identity, leading to self‑deception. **In simple terms:** Memory hides truths to protect identity. Key Takeaway Be aware of memory’s bias and seek truth. Themes psychology memory identity Mood introspective melancholic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - therapy - journaling - historical research - family discussions - creative writing Key Concepts cognitive bias self‑deception personal narrative Questions to Reflect On - What memories might you be protecting to preserve your self‑image? - How can you confront and reconcile uncomfortable truths? A Different Perspective Relying on selective memory can distort personal history and hinder growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Catching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catching/) [Claims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claims/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Identity Fibbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity-fibbing-5315971/) [Identity Implicates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity-implicates-5315973/) [Implicates Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/implicates-identity-5315974/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Memory Patchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory-patchy-5315972/) [Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself/) [Shrinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shrinks/) [Unique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unique/) ## Related quotes > [So often do you see collegians enter life with high resolve and lofty purpose and then watch them shrink and shrink to sordid, selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/so-often-do-you-see-collegians-enter-life-with-high-resolve-and-lofty/) [W. 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