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About this quote

What does it mean?
Diaries are imperfect human records, flawed by physical limitations and lack of insight.
In plain terms
Diaries are flawed records made by imperfect people.
What can you take from it?
Personal records are naturally limited by human frailty.

Where it applies

  • journaling
  • research
  • memoir

Putting it to work

  • keep notes
  • review entries
  • accept flaws

Questions to consider

  • Are diaries true?
  • What is a record?

Another view

Some journals capture truth well.

More from Wallace Stevens

  1. One ought not to hoard culture. It should be adapted and infused into society as a leaven. Liberality of culture does not mean illiberality of its benefits.

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  2. Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise!

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  3. In European thought in general, as contrasted with American, vigor, life and originality have a kind of easy, professional utterance. American - on the other h…

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