QuoteProject
Everyone complains of his memory, and nobody complains of his judgment.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

People often criticize their ability to remember things while overlooking the importance of making wise decisions.

This quote highlights a common human tendency to focus on our shortcomings in memory instead of acknowledging the greater concern of our judgment. It suggests that while many are preoccupied with recalling events or information, fewer people reflect on the quality of their decisions, which can have a more significant impact on their lives.

Themes

MemoryJudgmentWisdomDecisionsComplaints

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about self-improvement, one might reference this quote to encourage others to focus on their decision-making skills.

More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld

The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead

Similar quotes

You know, I once read an interesting book which said that, uh, most people lost in the wilds, they, they die of shame. Yeah, see, they die of shame. 'What did I do wrong? How could I have gotten myself into this?' And so they sit there and they... die. Because they didn't do the one thing that would save their lives. Thinking.
David MametRead
There is nothing Madison Avenue can give us that will make us more beautiful women. We are beautiful because God created us that way.
Marianne WilliamsonRead
Do the kind of things that come from the heart, When you do, you won't be dissatisfied, you won't be envious, you won't be longing for somebody else's things. On the contrary, you'll be overhelmed with what comes back
Morrie SchwartzRead
Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with a grateful hand.
HoraceRead
When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints, but exert your whole care to hide it; by endeavouring to hide it; you will dry it away. Be always busy.
Samuel JohnsonRead
Two very simple rules: _x000D_ A. You don't have to write. _x000D_ B. You can't do anything else _x000D_ The rest comes of itself.
Raymond ChandlerRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.