Family Quote by Philip K. Dick
““The household was pervaded by this atmosphere of a calm adult woman and a man who gave into animal impulses. She reported to him in great detail what her analyst ... said about his binges and his hostility; she used Charley's money to pay Dr. Andrews to catalog his abnormalities. And of course Charley never heard anything directly from the doctor; he had no way of keeping her from reporting what served her and holding back what did not. The doctor, too, had no way of getting to the truth of what she told him; no doubt she only gave him the facts that suited her picture, so that the doctor's picture of Charley was based on what she wanted him to know. By the time she had edited both going and coming there was little of it outside her control.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Man Who Japed by Philip K. Dick, 1956
A woman manipulates information between her partner and a therapist, shaping perceptions to serve her own agenda, illustrating how truth can be distorted by selective reporting.
In simple terms: People can control narratives by editing what they share.
Key Takeaway
Beware of biased information.
Themes
manipulation
truth
control
relationships
psychology
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- Therapy sessions
- marital conflict
- legal testimony
- media reporting
Key Concepts
Cognitive bias
information asymmetry
self‑interest
Questions to Reflect On
- How does selective sharing affect trust?
- What safeguards can ensure accurate communication?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes the woman’s motives are purely self‑serving, ignoring possible protective intentions.
