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Forgetting Quote by Ernest Hemingway

“[...] and Mary with her wonderful memory for forgetting was happy too and without any problems. She could forget in the loveliest and most complete way of anyone I ever knew. She could carry a fight overnight but at the end of week she could forget it completely and truly. She had a built-in…” quote by Ernest Hemingway
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““[...] and Mary with her wonderful memory for forgetting was happy too and without any problems. She could forget in the loveliest and most complete way of anyone I ever knew. She could carry a fight overnight but at the end of week she could forget it completely and truly. She had a built-in selective memory and it was not built entirely in her favor. She forgave herself in her memory and she forgave you too. She was a very strange girl and I loved her very much.””

Ernest Hemingway

About This Quote

Source Novel: A Moveable Feast, 1964

The passage celebrates a person’s ability to let go, forgiving herself and others, and forgetting grievances effortlessly.

In simple terms: She can easily forget and forgive.

Key Takeaway

Embrace forgiveness and let go of grudges.

Themes

forgiveness memory self‑acceptance

Mood

reflective nostalgic

Type

literary personal

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • conflict resolution
  • self‑growth

Key Concepts

selective memory emotional resilience

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does selective memory affect relationships?
  • Can forgetting be a strength?
A Different Perspective

Human memory is imperfect; selective forgetting can be harmful.

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