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FRACMENTS OF A PRISONER'S DIARY
herited thc highly developed cynicism and studied inditierence which characterise our species because we know too much. Having been taken aback by the incredible amount of human ignorance, I have coine to the conclusion, after months and months of calm reflection, that it would be selfish of me to hold back the treasure of knowledge we possess. This literary curiosity is the concrete form of that altruistic conclusion.
Now, mine is not going to be a pleasant task. Necessarily, I shai] have to confront man with the naked picture of hiinself. I shall be obliged to disregard the advice of the shrewd Indian rishis, namely,“ satyam bruyat, priyam bruyat, ma bruyat satyamapriyam" (tell the truth, but tell pleasant things ; don't tell unpleasant truths). Should I be bound by this time-honoured adage, then, my literary adventure might be a success; the first autobiography of a cat might be indulgently receivedl ; it might cven become a best-seller, pro vided that the unpleasant truths left unsaid are compensated by pleasing falsehoods, loudly pro claimed as revealed truth. But in that case, my personal triumph would be bought at the cost of public benefit. Since in this literary venture I am moved by an altruistic motive, I propose to be selAess all the way through. I shall be running counter to the instinctive wisdom of my species which is notorious for selfishness. I have my full share of this invaluable heritage. I am fully self
