Forgetfulness Quote by James Stephens
“Let the past be content with itself, for man needs forgetfulness as well as memory”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Book of the River, 1925
The quote suggests that both remembering and forgetting are essential for a balanced mind.
In simple terms: Both memory and forgetting are needed.
Embrace both memory and forgetting.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- mental health
- creative work
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide what to remember and what to let go?
- What role does forgetting play in healing?
Over‑emphasis on forgetting can erase valuable lessons.