thus, all that was done for us in our youth perishes unremembered,
because our youth itself is never reviewed. What has been is
regarded by every one, not only as past, but as gone; and for the
same reason, our memory is weak for what is about to happen in the
future.

IV. Here I must do Epicurus the justice to say that he constantly
complains of our ingratitude for past benefits, because we cannot
bring back again, or count among our present pleasures, those good
things which we have received long ago, although no pleasures can
be more undeniable than those which cannot be taken from us.
Present good is not yet altogether complete, some mischance may
interrupt it; the future is in suspense, and uncertain; but what is
past is laid up in safety. How can any man feel gratitude for
benefits, if he skips through his whole life entirely engrossed
with the present and the future? It is remembrance that mates men
grateful; and the more men hope, the less they remember.

V. In the same way, my Liberalis, as some things remain in our
memory as soon as they are learned, while to know others it is not
enough to have learned them, for our knowledge slips away from us
unless it be kept up--I allude to geometry and astronomy, and such
other sciences as are Hard to remember because of their intricacy--
so the greatness of some benefits prevents their being forgotten,
while others, individually less, though many more in number, and
bestowed at different times, pass from our minds, because, as I
have stated above, we do not constantly think about them, and do
not willingly recognize how much we owe to each of our benefactors.
Listen to the words of those who ask for favours. There is not one
of them who does not declare that his remembrance will be eternal,