More: Utopia (1685 Burnet Translation)

...of anything that has escaped me. For though I would think myself very happy if I had as much creativity original: "Invention" and learning as I know I have memory—which makes me generally depend much upon it—yet I do not rely so entirely on it that I think I can forget nothing.

My servant John Clement (c. 1500–1572) was a student and protégé in More’s household who later became a prominent physician and President of the Royal College of Physicians. John Clement has raised some points that trouble me. You know he was present with us, as I think he ought to be at every conversation that may be of use to him; for I expect great things from the progress he has so early made in Greek and Latin original: "Roman Learning" studies. As far as my memory serves me, the bridge over the Anider The name of the principal river in Utopia; the name is derived from the Greek for "waterless." at Amaurot The capital city of Utopia; its name is Greek for "shadowy" or "vanishing city." was 500 paces wide, according to Raphael’s Raphael Hythloday, the fictional traveler who describes the island of Utopia to More and Giles. account. However, John assures me that he spoke of only 300 paces. Therefore, I beg you to recall what you can remember of this. If you agree with him, I will believe that I have been mistaken; but if you remember nothing of it, I will not change what I have written, because it matches my best recollection. While I will take care that nothing is falsely recorded, if there is anything doubtful, I might perhaps tell a lie, but I am certain I will not make a lie More makes a famous distinction here: "telling a lie" is an accidental error in fact, while "making a lie" is a deliberate act of deception. This reinforces the "true story" frame of the book.. I would rather be thought an honest man than a clever man. But it will be easy to correct this mistake if you can either meet