"Talking of biography, I said, in writing a life, a man's peculiarities should be mentioned, because they mark his character. JOHNSON. 'Sir, there is no doubt as to peculiarities : the question is, whether a man's vices should be mentioned ...' ... 'If a man is to write A Panegyrick, he may keep vices out of sight ; but if he professes to write A Life, he must represent it really as it was ...'"
Biography

January 1, 1970

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Added on April 10, 2026
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Original Language: English

Sources

James Boswell,

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Biography