They never get ahead an inch, because they are always hugging some coward maxim, which they can only interpret literally…. Of what use is it “to be sawing about a set of maxims to which there is a complete set of antagonist maxims”? Proverbs, it has been well said, should be sold in pairs, a single one being but a half-truth. ~William Mathews, “Decision,” Getting On In The World; Or, Hints on Success in Life, 1873TPVgb