What does this quote mean and how do you define it? [closed]

Solution 1:

On no evidence at all (I don't know Spanish) I suggest this is a clumsy translation of an original that says something like

Rather than exaggerating I have understated everything.

Solution 2:

If we put the subject first we get:

I have lessened in all things, better than to exaggerate.

The parallelism and elision/sluicing (basically, omitting) is tricky, but the question is: what does the author mean by lessened?

I would interpret it, given the antonym provided "exaggerate", to lessen here means to downplay or basically be humble.

This is the speakers way of saying, "Of everything I have told you, that is worst-case scenario; if you investigated my assertions, they would meet or exceed expectations. In my opinion, this is better than talking it all up (to exaggerate)"

Solution 3:

To avoid any chance of exaggeration, he has purposely gone the other way and and "lessened" his statements.