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an Autobiography is the truest of all books; for while it…

“an Autobiography is the truest of all books; for while it inevitably consists mainly of extinctions of the truth, shirkings of the truth, partial revealments of the truth, with hardly an instance of plain straight truth, the remorseless truth is there, between the lines, where the author-cat is…” quote by Mark Twain
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“an Autobiography is the truest of all books; for while it inevitably consists mainly of extinctions of the truth, shirkings of the truth, partial revealments of the truth, with hardly an instance of plain straight truth, the remorseless truth is there, between the lines, where the author-cat is raking dust upon it which hides from the disinterested spectator neither it nor its smell... the result being that the reader knows the author in spite of his wily diligences.”

Mark Twain

About This Quote

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

The author admits his autobiography is biased and selective, yet the underlying truth emerges between the lines.

In simple terms: Truth is hidden in a biased narrative.

Key Takeaway

Read between the lines for authentic insight.

Themes

honesty self-awareness literary criticism

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • reading biographies
  • critical analysis
  • historical research

Key Concepts

bias truth authorial intent

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does bias affect your perception of truth?
  • What clues reveal the hidden truth?
A Different Perspective

Bias may distort facts, requiring careful interpretation.

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