"La mémoire est un piège, pur et simple ; elle altère, elle réarrange subtilement le passé pour qu'il corresponde au présent."
— Mario Vargas Llosa
Simplified Meaning:
Our memories don't just keep a perfect record of what has happened. They often change things a little to make them fit better with how we feel or what we think now. For example, think about a time you fell out with a friend. At first, you might remember it as their fault. But, over time, if you get more upset, you might start remembering more bad things they did, even if they weren't such a big deal back then. This is like how our brain tries to protect us or make us feel better. If you're feeling happy now, your brain might make past events seem happier too. This isn't on purpose; it’s just how our minds work. To apply this idea, remember not to rely too heavily on memories when making important decisions, and try to see things from different points of view to get a clearer picture.