Darker grows the valley, more and more forgetting: So were it with me if forgetting could be willed. Tell the grassy hollow that holds the bubbling well-spring, Tell it to forget the source that keeps it filled.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Forgetfulness cannot be willed; just as a well cannot forget its source, we cannot truly erase memories.
- In plain terms
- You can't force yourself to forget, like a well can't forget its water source.
- What can you take from it?
- Memory is natural and cannot be easily erased.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can you truly forget pain?
- Is forgetting possible or healthy?
Another view
Memory suppression can be a temporary coping mechanism.
More from George Meredith
She whom I love is hard to catch and conquer, Hard, but O the glory of the winning were she won!
Permalink to quote #13 Civil limitation daunts His utterance never; the nymphs blush, not he.
Permalink to quote #15 Enter these enchanted woods, You who dare. Nothing harms beneath the leaves More than waves a swimmer cleaves. Toss your heart up with the lark, Foot at peace …
Permalink to quote #12
Related quotes
Ach, die Garten bist du, ach, ich sah sie mit solcher Hoffnung. Ein offenes Fenster im Landhaus-, und du tratest beinahe mir nachdenklich heran. Gassen fand ic…
Rainer Maria RilkeRainer Maria Rilke quote #3 'A reasonable naturalist then settles down to this life with a sort of animal satisfaction. As Chinese illiterate women put it, 'Others gave birth to us and we…
Lin YutangLin Yutang quote #4 '...I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like best of all autumn, because its leaves are a little yellow, its tone mell…
Lin YutangLin Yutang quote #15