I love you. I used to pity your sorrow. But now, were you sorrowless, without fear or any lack, still i would love you. — J. R. R. Tolkien. English writer and philologist (1892–1973)
I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.
I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.