No man could bring himself to reveal his true character, and, above all, his true limitations as a citizen and a Christian, his true meannesses, his true imbecilities, to his friends, or even to his wife. Honest autobiography is therefore a contradiction in terms: the moment a man considers himself, even in petto, he tries to gild and fresco himself. Thus a man's wife, however realistic her view of him, always flatters him in the end, for the worst she sees in him is appreciably better, by the time she sees it, than what is actually there.

Summary

This quote suggests that no person is truly capable of revealing their authentic self to others, including their friends and even their romantic partner. It argues that honesty in self-portrayal is impossible, as individuals instinctively try to present a more idealized and favorable version of themselves. This may be due to a fear of exposing their flaws, weaknesses, and imperfections. Consequently, even when someone is aware of some negative aspects of their loved one's character, they tend to unintentionally soften the reality and perceive them in a more positive light than they truly are.

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