ANTIMETABOLE, in rhetoric, a figure which sets two things in opposition to each other. The word is Greek, compounded of anti against, and metabolon from metabolon, 1 shift or transfer, i. e. a shifting, or setting two things over-against each other. This figure is twice exemplified in an apophthegm of Musonius; which, on account of its excellence, is called antiphrasimon, the golden maxim or precept.
Ἀντιμεταβολὴ καλὸν μὲν τινὶ, οὐ μὲν τῷ ἄλλῳ ἔχεται, τὸ δὲ καλὸν μὲν.
Ἀντιμεταβολὴ καὶ ἄλλο μὲν τινὶ ἔχεται, τὸ μὲν ἄλλῳ ἔχεται, τὸ δὲ αὐτὸ ἄλλῳ μὲν.
In English thus:
“Allowing the performance of an honourable action to be attended with labour: the labour is soon over, but the honour immortal: whereas, should even pleasure wait on the commission of what is dishonourable, the pleasure is soon gone, but the dishonour eternal.”