Quote by Silas Weir Mitchell
The first thing to be done by a biographer in estimating character is to examine the stubs of his victim's check-books.
Summary
This quote suggests that one of the initial steps for a biographer in understanding a person's character is to analyze their financial transactions, as reflected in their check-book stubs. By examining these records, which detail the individual's expenses and financial activities, the biographer may gain insights into their values, priorities, and even potentially uncover hidden aspects of their life. This approach implies that a person's financial activities can provide valuable clues about their character and helps set a foundation for further exploration in the biographical process.