Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives.

The aphorism frames friendship as an economy of generosity in which true friends do not keep accounts. “Forgetting what one gives” suggests giving without self-congratulation, leverage, or expectation of repayment; it rejects the transactional mindset that turns kindness into a claim. “Remembering what one receives” points to gratitude and attentiveness—valuing the other’s care rather than one’s own sacrifices. Taken together, the line implies that friendship thrives on humility and appreciation, and that resentment often begins when we tally our contributions while overlooking what has been offered to us. It is also a warning against moral bookkeeping, which corrodes intimacy by converting affection into debt.