I set it down as a fact that if all men knew what each said of the other, there would not be four friends in the world. - Blaise Pascal

Words differently arranged have different meanings, and meanings differently arranged have different effects.

If, being duke and peer, you would not be contented with my standing uncovered before you, but should also wish that I should esteem you, I should ask you to show me the qualities that merit my esteem. If you did this, you would gain it, and I could not refuse it to you with justice; but if you did not do it, you would be unjust to demand it of me; and assuredly you would not succeed, were you the greatest prince in the world.

It is not the length of years but a multitude of generations that makes things obscure. For truth is only perverted when men change.