Hilary Mantel - But it is no use to justify yourself. It is...

But it is no use to justify yourself. It is no good to explain. It is weak to be anecdotal. It is wise to conceal the past even if there is nothing to conceal. A man's power is in the half-light, in the half-seen movements of his hand and the unguessed-at expression of his face. It is the absence of facts that frightens people: the gap you open, into which they pour their fears, fantasies, desires.

Hilary Mantel

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Hilary Mantel Quotes

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But it is no use to justify yourself. It is no good to explain. It is weak to be anecdotal. It is wise to conceal the past even if there is nothing to conceal. A man's power is in the half-light, in the half-seen movements of his hand and the unguessed-at expression of his face. It is the absence of facts that frightens people: the gap you open, into which they pour their fears, fantasies, desires. Hilary Mantel

They Said So®

Keywords

justify good explain weak anecdotal wise conceal past man' power half-light half- movements hand unguessed- expression face absence facts frightens people gap open pour fears fantasies desires

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