“If I'd written all the truth I knew for the past ten years, about 600 people—including me—would be rotting in prison cells from Rio to Seattle today ”
— Hunter S. Thompson
Simplified Meaning:
The speaker is saying that if they had told all the secrets and truths they knew over the last ten years, many people, including themselves, would be in serious trouble and likely in jail. This suggests that there are a lot of hidden activities and perhaps illegal actions that have been kept secret to protect everyone involved. For instance, imagine a journalist who uncovers corrupt activities by politicians and businesspeople. If they reported every single thing without any filters, many powerful people could face severe consequences. This statement highlights how sometimes people choose to stay silent to avoid big problems for themselves and others. It's an idea that knowing too much or revealing everything can be dangerous and not always safe. For someone in their everyday life, this might mean thinking carefully about what to share, especially if it can harm not only themselves but also other people.
