I wish I'd known you when you were alive

History is the short trudge from Adam to atom.

He's a fine friend. He stabs you in the front.

A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them.

He is a fine friend. He stabs you in the front.

Fame: putting someone on a pedestal so you can see his clay feet