# What is the most effective and efficent way to memorize quotes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-and-efficent-way-to-memorize-quotes/171501 "2003-04-27T16:21:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kriss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kriss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kriss)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-and-efficent-way-to-memorize-quotes/171501/1 "2003-04-27T16:21:32Z")
What is the most effective and efficent way to memorize quotes along with the authors name and the date of their birth and death. For example, if I want to memorize this: Lao-tzu 604-531 B.C Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Have few desires. The way of Lao-tzu 19 What is the simplest, easiest, way to memorize this and recall it without having blanks. I looked memory mnemonic tricks online but they do not explain word-to-word memorization techniques. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-and-efficent-way-to-memorize-quotes/171501/2 "2003-04-27T18:18:39Z")
There is no single right answer to this question. You’re looking more for advice than facts, so I’ll move this thread to IMHO. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![Kriss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kriss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kriss)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-and-efficent-way-to-memorize-quotes/171501/3 "2003-04-27T18:40:29Z")
Ok thanks…still waiting for a reply. ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-and-efficent-way-to-memorize-quotes/171501/4 "2003-04-27T21:51:05Z")
Righty oh, lemme give this a try. You could try systematic techniques, but I personally find that the time and effort to learn them is not owrth the hassle, but as always YYMV. What I normally use is brute force. First off, find out what the quote means, why they said it and the importance of it - context is everything. Now write the thing down on a sheet of paper. Whenever you have a free moment, read it (not skimming) then try to repeat it out aloud about 10 seconds later. Now write it down again. Rince, wash and repeat until you’re sick of it; then do it another 5 times a few days later, repeat. Not very pretty, but it works for me. ---
**Author:** ![Magickly\_Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magickly\_Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magickly_Delicious)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-and-efficent-way-to-memorize-quotes/171501/5 "2003-04-27T21:56:40Z")
I don’t know any real “techniques,” but here’s what I would do: I memorize names and dates just by brute force–say it over and over. To remember the quote, I’d remember the word “MIRTH” only misspell it “MERHT” and use those letters to help me remember the quote. It helps to sing-song the quote in your head–give it a rhythm so that once you’ve got the first word you can get through the rest with no problem. Although apparently I learn by hearing, so you might want to try writing it and reading it, depending on how you learn best. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-and-efficent-way-to-memorize-quotes/171501/6 "2003-04-27T22:08:35Z")
I tend to remember things better if I write them down and read them several times. It seems that writing them makes them more “real”. ---
**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-and-efficent-way-to-memorize-quotes/171501/7 "2003-04-28T03:43:26Z")
and it also help to actually use it. you know how one learns a new word, right? use every opportunity you can to fling it in. same thing for quotes. (of course, you may end up looking a little lordly if you bring up Lao Tzu while discussing Kate Moss’ boob size, but hey, at least you’ll remember the quote! 😛 )