A man who publishes his letters becomes a nudist--nothing shields him from the world's gaze except his bare skin. A writer, writing away, can always fix himself up to make himself more presentable, but a man who has written a letter is stuck with it for all time.

Summary

This quote suggests that when a person publishes their letters, it is akin to being a nudist, as they expose themselves to the world without any protection. While a writer can often carefully craft their work to present themselves in a favorable light, once a letter is sent, it remains unchanged forever. Essentially, this highlights the idea that publishing personal correspondence leaves one vulnerable and permanently vulnerable to the interpretation and judgment of others.

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