Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.
Interpretation
Avoid exaggerating or lying in familiar company, especially if they know the truth.
This quote by Mark Twain humorously suggests that one should be cautious about sharing tall tales or embellishing stories in the presence of those who are well-acquainted with the subject matter. The humor lies in the idea that if you attempt to spin a yarn about something that people know intimately, your credibility will be easily undermined.
In practice
Using this quote during a storytelling workshop to emphasize the importance of honesty.
Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
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But do not give it to a lawyer's clerk to write, for they use a legal hand that Satan himself will not understand.
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