Forgetting Quote by Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi
““[M]y terror of forgetting is greater than my terror of having too much to remember. Let the accumulated facts about the past continue to multiply. ... So that those who need can find that this person did live, those events really took place, this interpretation is not the only one.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Memory and History, 1995
He warns that fear of forgetting can dominate, urging preservation of facts while acknowledging multiple interpretations.
In simple terms: Preserve facts, accept varied views.
Document history, respect differing narratives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research
- teaching
- archiving
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance memory with interpretation?
- What sources ensure accurate recollection?
Risk of over‑emphasizing documentation over lived experience.