--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But it isn’t the best we should…" description: "\"“But it isn’t the best we should remember,’ she said, and shocked herself by speaking aloud, and clutched the folds and mother-of-pearl buttons in that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/paul-scott-8558_forgiveness_but-it-isn-t-the-best-we-should-remember_3050403.jpg" --- # But it isn’t the best we should remember,’ she said, and… ![“But it isn’t the best we should remember,’ she said, and shocked herself by speaking aloud, and clutched the folds and mother-of-pearl buttons in that habitual gesture. We must remember the worst because the worst is the lives we lead, the best is only our history, and between our history and our…” quote by Paul Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/paul-scott-8558_forgiveness_but-it-isn-t-the-best-we-should-remember_3050403.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/paul-scott-8558_forgiveness_but-it-isn-t-the-best-we-should-remember_3050403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/paul-scott-8558_forgiveness_but-it-isn-t-the-best-we-should-remember_3050403.jpg) > ““But it isn’t the best we should remember,’ she said, and shocked herself by speaking aloud, and clutched the folds and mother-of-pearl buttons in that habitual gesture. We must remember the worst because the worst is the lives we lead, the best is only our history, and between our history and our lives there is this vast dark plain where the rapt and patient shepherds drive their invisible flocks in expectation of God’s forgiveness. \*”” [Paul Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests we focus on our worst experiences because they define our present lives, while the best are merely past memories, and between them lies a bleak unknown awaiting divine forgiveness. **In simple terms:** We remember our worst because it shapes us, not our best. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and learn from hardships. Themes suffering memory forgiveness existential reflection Mood melancholic contemplative Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal crises - therapy - spiritual contemplation - ethical decision-making Key Concepts existentialism theology psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance remembering pain with appreciating joy? - What role does forgiveness play in personal growth? A Different Perspective It may overlook the value of hope and positive memory. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-remember-247672/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Remember Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-said/) [Remember Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-worst-739022/) [Shocked Speaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shocked-speaking-5070752/) ## Related quotes > [I'm doing my best to remember how you made me happy, but every time I think of you, all I can remember is how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-doing-my-best-to-remember-how-you-made-me-happy-but-every-time-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“(Peter) Best to remember that life is lived not just in phases but also in layers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-woodruff/peter-best-to-remember-that-life-is-lived-not-just-in-phases-but-also/) [Nancy Woodruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-woodruff/) > [“I reckoned some things you do best to remember. 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