Memory Quotes

Memory lingers like a half-remembered song—sometimes sweet and clear, other times frayed at the edges, but always stubbornly refusing to stay buried. These quotes capture its pull: the way it shapes us, haunts us, and sometimes even betrays us.

4,672 QUOTES — PAGE 128 OF 234

“And it was in that moment of distress and confusion that the whip of terror laid its most nicely calculated lash about his heart. It dropped with deadly effect upon the sorest spot of all, completely unnerving him. He had been secretly dreading all the time that it would come - and come it did.Far overhead, muted by great height and distance, strangely thinned and wailing, he heard the crying voice of Defago, the guide.The sound dropped upon him out of that still, wintry sky with an effect of dismay and terror unsurpassed. The rifle fell to his feet. He stood motionless an instant, listening as it were with his whole body, then staggered back against the nearest tree for support, disorganized hopelessly in mind and spirit. To him, in that moment, it seemed the most shattering and dislocating experience he had ever known, so that his heart emptied itself of all feeling whatsoever as by a sudden draught.'Oh! oh! This fiery height! Oh, my feet of fire! My burning feet of fire...' ran in far, beseeching accents of indescribable appeal this voice of anguish down the sky. Once it called - then silence through all the listening wilderness of trees.And Simpson, scarcely knowing what he did, presently found himself running wildly to and fro, searching, calling, tripping over roots and boulders, and flinging himself in a frenzy of undirected pursuit after the Caller. Behind the screen of memory and emotion with which experience veils events, he plunged, distracted and half-deranged, picking up false lights like a ship at sea, terror in his eyes and heart and soul. For the Panic of the Wilderness had called to him in that far voice - the Power of untamed Distance - the Enticement of the Desolation that destroys. He knew in that moment all the pains of someone hopelessly and irretrievably lost, suffering the lust and travail of a soul in the final Loneliness. A vision of Defago, eternally hunted, driven and pursued across the skyey vastness of those ancient forests fled like a flame across the dark ruin of his thoughts...It seemed ages before he could find anything in the chaos of his disorganized sensations to which he could anchor himself steady for a moment, and think...The cry was not repeated; his own hoarse calling brought no response; the inscrutable forces of the Wild had summoned their victim beyond recall - and held him fast.("The Wendigo")”

Algernon Blackwood

“Isn't that the tie Lily bought for your birthday?"Evan looked down to examine it. It was paisley, a kaleidoscope of color. "Yes it is, as a matter of fact. Good memory. What do you think? Too much?""It doesn't matter what I think.""But you don't like it.""I think that if you want to wear it, you should wear it."Evan seemed momentarily undecided. "Why do you do that?""Do what?""Refuse to answer a simple question.""Because my opinion is irrelevant. You should wear what you want.""Just tell me, okay?""I don't like your tie.""Really? Why not?""Because it's ugly.""It's not ugly."Colin nodded. "Okay.""You don't know what you're talking about.""Probably.""You don't even wear ties.""You're right.""So why do I care what you think?""I don't know."Evan scowled. "Talking to you can be infuriating, you know.""I know. You've said that before.""Of course I've said it before! Because it's true! Didn't we just talk about this the other night? You don't have to say whatever pops into your head.""But you asked.""Just ... Oh, forget it." He turned and started back toward the house. "I'll talk to you later, okay?""Where are you going?"Evan walked a couple of steps before answering without turning around. "To change my damn tie. And by the way Margolis was right. Your face still looks like it was run through a meat grinder."Colin smiled. "Hey, Evan!"Evan stopped and turned. "What?""Thanks.""For what?""For everything.""Yeah, yeah. You're just lucky I won't tell Lily what you said.""You can if you'd like. I already told her."Evan starred. "Of course you did.”

Nicholas Sparks