Careful Words

distinction (n.)

distinction (v.)

  If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784): Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. ii. Chap. v. 1763.

  Distinction without a difference.

Henry Fielding (1707-1754): Tom Jones. Book vi. Chap. xiii.