Out of sight, out of mind

Origin of: Out of sight, out of mind

Out of sight, out of mind

An old English proverb that maintains there is often a reduced importance to whatever is not constantly brought to one’s attention. It dates from at least the 1400s and is often attributed to St Thomas à Kempis who used it in Imitation of Christ c.1420. “And when he is out of sight, quickly also is he out of mind.”