Skip to content

Though I had come into the world on 16 November 1922, my…

“Though I had come into the world on 16 November 1922, my official documents show that I was born two days later, on the 18th. It was thanks to this petty fraud that my family escaped from paying the fine for not having registered my birth at the proper legal time.” quote by Jose Saramago
Download Open image
“Though I had come into the world on 16 November 1922, my official documents show that I was born two days later, on the 18th. It was thanks to this petty fraud that my family escaped from paying the fine for not having registered my birth at the proper legal time.”

Jose Saramago

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The narrator’s birth was officially recorded later than the actual date to avoid a fine, highlighting bureaucratic quirks and family resourcefulness.

In simple terms: A birth date was altered to dodge a legal penalty.

Key Takeaway

Understand how paperwork can affect personal history.

Themes

bureaucracy family legal identity

Mood

thoughtful curious

Type

historical personal

When to use this quote

  • legal documentation
  • family stories
  • historical research
  • identity verification

Key Concepts

record‑keeping administrative loopholes social history

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do such discrepancies affect personal identity?
  • What other bureaucratic shortcuts have you encountered?
A Different Perspective

Official records may not reflect true events.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Jose Saramago

Explore all 487 Jose Saramago quotes

More Birth quotes

Browse all 6,183 Birth quotes