"A great memory does not make a mind, any more than a dictionary is a piece of literature"
- John Henry Newman
About this Quote
John Henry Newman's quote is a reminder that understanding and intelligence are not the very same thing. Having an excellent memory does not necessarily make somebody smart or smart. Likewise, having access to a dictionary does not make somebody a fantastic writer or author. Memory and understanding are very important, but they are not the only elements of intelligence. Intelligence needs the ability to believe critically, evaluate details, and draw meaningful conclusions. It also requires imagination, analytical skills, and the ability to communicate successfully. Memory and knowledge are very important tools, but they are not the only tools that make up a great mind.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"