If one were to reply that those who compose these books write them as fictions, and therefore are not obliged to consider the fine points of truth, I should respond that the more truthful the fiction, the better it is, and the more probable and possible, the more pleasing. Fictional tales must engage the minds of those who read them, and by restraining exaggeration and moderating impossibility, they enthrall the spirit and thereby astonish, captivate, delight, and entertain, allowing wonder and joy to move together at the same pace; none of these things can be accomplished by fleeing verisimilitude and mimesis, which together constitute perfection in writing.

If one were to reply that those who compose these books write them as fictions, and therefore are not obliged to consider the fine points of truth, I should respond that the more truthful the fiction, the better it is, and the more probable and possible, the more pleasing. Fictional tales must engage the minds of those who read them, and by restraining exaggeration and moderating impossibility, they enthrall the spirit and thereby astonish, captivate, delight, and entertain, allowing wonder and joy to move together at the same pace; none of these things can be accomplished by fleeing verisimilitude and mimesis, which together constitute perfection in writing.

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
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Truth may be stretched, but cannot be broken, and always gets above falsehood, as does oil above water."~ Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra ~

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A Man Without Honoris Worse than Dead.

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...if the verses are for a literary competition, your grace should try to win second place; first is always won through favor or because of the high estate of the person, second is won because of pure justice, and by this calculation third becomes second, and the first becomes third...

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The brave man carves out his fortune, and every man is the sum of his own works.

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Tell me thy company, and I'll tell thee what thou art

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That which costs little is less valued.

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A closed mouth catches no flies.

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Anyone who is ignorant, even a lord and prince, can and should be counted as one of the mob.

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Honesty's the best policy.

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