"Memory is the foundation without which there can be no structure of
knowledge." On the other hand, there can be a good foundation and very
little structure. The story is told of a fool who was placed under the
charge of a country clergyman. The young fellow would sit in church on
the Sabbath and was able to remember almost every word of the sermon.
He could tell afterwards, where every one sat, and what they wore, but
he was good for very little of anything else.
A reporter in the House of Commons could sit for hours without taking
notes and write the full speeches for his paper, but he had very poor
judgment and was an utter failure in life.
Do not neglect the development of your memory, but do not go to the
extreme, so that you neglect other factors of mentality and character.
Strive always to gain a fully rounded education and development.
Develop the Common Senses; make them keen, alert and useful, and you
will not lack in Common Sense.
Great buildings, great characters, great minds and great memories are
not built in a day. But a few minutes a day of persistent effort will
win. In the words of Michael Angelo:
"Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle."