Full Idea
It is not within the free power of the mind to remember or forget a thing at will.
Gist of Idea
The mind is not free to remember or forget anything
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], III Pr 02)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.134
A Reaction
An interesting little corrective if you were thinking that your total control over you mind proved that you had free will. Once you face up to your lack of control of the memory process, you begin to realise how little of your mind even feels controlled.