". . . aphorism are seldom couched in such terms, that they should be
taken as they sound precisely, or according to the widest extent of
signification; but do commonly need exposition, and admit exception:
otherwise frequently they would not only clash with reason and
experience, but interfere, thwart, and supplant one another."
--Issac Barrow
"The very essence of an aphorism is that slight exaggeration which makes
it more biting whilst less rigidly accurate."
--Leslie Stephen