Conservation Quote by Henri de Lubac
“Nothing remains intact without effort. Repetition of formulas does not assure the transmission of thought. It is not safe to entrust a doctrinal treasure to the passivity of memory. Intelligence must play a part in its conservation, rediscovering it, so to speak, in the process.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Role of Memory in Theology, 1952
Thoughts and teachings require active engagement; passive recall cannot preserve their depth.
In simple terms: Active engagement preserves ideas better than passive memory.
Key Takeaway
Engage actively with ideas.
Themes
education
memory
intellectual honesty
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- faith formation
- academic study
- personal growth
Key Concepts
active learning
preservation of knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you keep important ideas alive?
- What practices help active learning?
A Different Perspective
Passive repetition can still be useful for basic recall.
