--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know anything that mars a good…" description: "\"“I don't know anything that mars a good literature so completely as too much truth. Facts contain a great deal of poetry, but you can't use too many of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/mark-twain-22_books_i-don-t-know-anything-that-mars-a-good-l_49440.jpg" --- # I don't know anything that mars a good literature so… ![“I don't know anything that mars a good literature so completely as too much truth. Facts contain a great deal of poetry, but you can't use too many of them without damaging your literature.” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/mark-twain-22_books_i-don-t-know-anything-that-mars-a-good-l_49440.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/mark-twain-22_books_i-don-t-know-anything-that-mars-a-good-l_49440.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/mark-twain-22_books_i-don-t-know-anything-that-mars-a-good-l_49440.jpg) > ““I don't know anything that mars a good literature so completely as too much truth. Facts contain a great deal of poetry, but you can't use too many of them without damaging your literature.”” [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. Excessive factual detail can stifle the imaginative and emotional resonance of literature, reducing its artistic impact. **In simple terms:** Balance fact and imagination. Key Takeaway Too many facts hinder literary art. Themes Art vs. Reality Literary Aesthetics Creative Freedom Narrative Balance Poetic Truth Mood Reflective Thoughtful Type Observation Literary Insight When to use this quote - Writing fiction - Editing prose - Teaching literature - Developing narrative voice Key Concepts Literary Craft Fact vs. Fiction Artistic Integrity Practical Applications - Creative writing workshops - Literary criticism Questions to Reflect On - How can facts enhance rather than constrain a story? - When does factual detail become detrimental? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Good literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-literature/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“A classical work of literature can never be completely understood. 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Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-frank/) > [“WARNING: Brain dribble from a writer could cause good literature for the reader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brick-marlin/warning-brain-dribble-from-a-writer-could-cause-good-literature-for/) Brick Marlin > [Isn't connecting people to distant lands and culture one of the strengths of good literature?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/isn-t-connecting-people-to-distant-lands-and-culture-one-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Reading good literature is an experience of pleasure...but it is also an experience of learning what and how we are, in our human integrity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/reading-good-literature-is-an-experience-of-pleasure-but-it-is-also/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [Science is not just there for technology. 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