Humans are born liars, to say the least (“Born Criminals,” November 10, 2011). Lying is in our blood and bones, and this includes lying to ourselves. The former is dreadful, but the latter is disheartening. Still, my wish that I would never lie to myself ricochets through my mind every now and then (see, e.g., “A Sophomoric Exercise in Modesty,” December 2, 1986). But have I ever succumbed to this primordial sin? Well, no matter how hard I try, I cannot come up with a single lie to myself that I have not pinned down already. And in writing. My Residua is here for me to catch myself, as well as to tell on myself in turn, for I am not only its writer, but also the main reader.

Along these lines, I relish the truthfulness of my many selections from my writings that I call books, some of which could be nearly perfect abodes for the ancient art at deception, including self-deception. For instance, not a single one of my stories, tales, or fables has been constructed in any sense of that word (“Fact and Fiction,” August 4, 2016). They just come out of me. Similarly, I do my utmost to record my dreams just as I remember them upon waking (“I Dreamt,” January 20, 2018). Nothing is added or subtracted. All my books follow the same codes, for they are not premeditated. They just pop up when the time is right.

How can I be so sure about my refusal to lie to myself, though? Well, learning about myself is learning about my species, and telling on myself is telling on all humans (see, e.g., “Telling on People,” October 1, 2001). And in writing once again. Whence my zeal to know myself, to be sure. As it happens, I am the only human who cannot escape my scrutiny and my unflagging attention to detail. Introspection thus becomes inspection of all humans who have ever existed. Given the speed of evolution, the inspection in question will hold for no less than millions of years. Indeed, I would gladly serve as a witness in a trial against the human species entire (“At Long Last,” September 9, 2006). Regrettably, there is no sign of aliens yet!