Brewer's: Punctuation

The following advice of Bishop Orleton to Gourney and Maltravers in 1327 is an excellent example of the importance of punctuation: —Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est - “Refrain not to kill King Edward is right.” If the point is placed after the first word, the sentence reads, “Not to kill the king is right;” but if after the second word, the direction becomes, “Refrain not; to kill the king is right.” (See Oracle.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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