It is the fate of most men who mingle with the world, and attain even the prime of life, to make many real friends, and lose them in the course of nature. It is the fate of all authors or chroniclers to create imaginary friends, and lose them in the course of art. Nor is this the full extent of their misfortunes; for they are required to furnish an account of them besides.

Summary

This quote by Washington Irving highlights the contrasting experiences of individuals in different realms of life. While most people naturally make and lose real friends throughout their lives, authors or chroniclers face a unique fate. They create imaginary friends through their storytelling but ultimately lose them as they conclude their artistic works. Moreover, authors are burdened with the additional task of documenting these imaginary relationships. This quote serves as a reflection on the unique challenges and responsibilities that authors face in their literary endeavors.

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