Though I had come into the world on 16 November 1922, my official documents show that I was born two days later, on the 18th. It was thanks to this petty fraud that my family escaped from paying the fine for not having registered my birth at the proper legal time.

In this quote, José Saramago, the Nobel Prize-winning Portuguese author, reflects on an instance of petty fraud that occurred when he was born. He reveals that while he was actually born on 16 November 1922, his official documents mistakenly state that his birth occurred two days later, on the 18th. Saramago explains that this discrepancy was not a mere oversight but a deliberate act designed to help his family avoid a fine for not registering his birth within the required legal time frame.

The origin of this statement lies in Saramago's personal history and his reflection on the often complex and sometimes inconvenient nature of bureaucracy and legal systems. He points out that a small act of dishonesty, in this case changing the date of his birth, was necessary for his family to avoid a legal penalty. This anecdote provides a glimpse into the practical realities families sometimes face when dealing with government regulations and the pressures of following strict legal protocols.

Saramago's comment highlights how small acts of defiance or "fraud" can occur in response to what is perceived as an unjust or cumbersome legal system. By using humor and irony, he reflects on how even mundane bureaucratic issues can prompt people to bend the rules in order to survive or manage their everyday lives. The idea that his family resorted to this action to avoid a fine shows the sometimes absurd lengths people will go to navigate the constraints of officialdom.

Ultimately, this quote reveals Saramago’s ability to reflect on personal history with a sense of irony and critique of bureaucratic systems. It underscores how legal and governmental requirements can sometimes feel oppressive, leading individuals to take measures, however minor or dishonest, to protect themselves or their families.