A Quote by Mason Cooley

Wisdom is founded on memory; happiness on forgetfulness.

Mason Cooley

Quote Topics

Forgetfulness Founded Happiness Memory Wisdom

Quote Author

Mason Cooley
American - Writer
1927 - 2002

The invention of writing will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom.

Socrates

Read yourself, not books. Truth isn't outside, that's only memory, not wisdom. Memory without wisdom is like an empty thermos bottle - if you don't fill it, it's useless.

Ajahn Chah

Memory is not wisdom; idiots can by rote repeat volumes. Yet what is wisdom without memory?

Martin Farquhar Tupper

To possess both wisdom and compassion is the heart of our human revolution. If you have wisdom alone and lack compassion, it will be a cold, perverse wisdom. If you have compassion alone and lack wisdom, you cannot give happiness to others. You are even likely to lead them in the wrong direction, and you won't be able to achieve your own happiness.

Daisaku Ikeda

Memory is the miser of the mind; forgetfulness the spendthrift.

Robert Green Ingersoll

Few have wished for memory so much as they have longed for forgetfulness.

Arthur Helps

Memory embellishes Life. Forgetfulness makes it possible.

Romare Bearden

Memory is a political act. Forgetfulness is the handmaiden of tyranny.

James Carroll

Memory only becomes interesting through its struggle with forgetfulness.

Adrian Forty

Attachment is the state of ignorance or forgetfulness, and thus clinging to a memory of enjoyment

Goswami Kriyananda

Let the past be content with itself, for man needs forgetfulness as well as memory

James Stephens

Let the past be content with itself, for man needs forgetfulness as well as memory.

James Stephens

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. Those who continually search for happiness will never find it. Happiness is made, not found. To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

Bertrand Russell

Money cannot buy happiness, but it can make you awfully comfortable while you're being miserable. Nothing prevents happiness like the memory of happiness.

Andre Gide

The word 'sin' is beautiful; it comes from a root which means 'forgetfulness'. You may not be able to see the connection between forgetfulness and sin, but there IS a connection: forgetfulness means unawareness, unconsciousness.