The memory of past troubles is pleasant. [Lat., Jucunda memoria est praeteritorum malorum.]

Not to know what happened before you were born is to be a child forever. For what is the time of a man, except it be interwoven with that memory of ancient things of a superior age?

Memory is the receptacle and sheath of all knowledge

Of all the rewards of virtue, . . . the most splendid is fame, for it is fame alone that can offer us the memory of posterity.

History illumes reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life

History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquities.

Memory is the treasury and guardian of all things.

It is certain that memory contains not only philosophy, but all the arts and all that appertain to the use of life.

When I consider the wonderful activity of the mind, so great a memory of what is past, and such a capacity of penetrating into the future: when I behold such a number of arts and sciences, and such a multitude of discoveries hence arising,--I believe and am firmly persuaded that a nature which contains so many things within itself cannot be mortal.