How can anyone expect to be understood unless he presents his thoughts with complete honesty? This situation is unfair because it asks too much of the world. In effect, we say, “I don’t dare show you what I am because I don’t trust you for a minute but please love me anyway because I so need you to. And, of course, if you don’t love me anyway, you’re a dirty dog, just as I suspected, so I was right in the first place.” Yet, every time God’s children have thrown away fear in pursuit of honesty, miracles have happened.

14. Duke Ellington, American composer, pianist and big band leader, known as one of the most prominent figures in jazz music | 29 April 1899 – 24 May 1974

Smart man.