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Robert Burton Quotes

1577–1640 England

Robert Burton (8 February 1577 – 25 January 1640) was an English writer and scholar at Oxford University (at Christ Church), known chiefly for writing The Anatomy of Melancholy.

England
Authors
Clergy
Physicians

Also known as: Burton, Robert

Random Robert Burton quote

119 quotes

Hannibal, as he had mighty virtues, so had he many vices; he had two distinct persons in him.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Like Aesop's fox, when he had lost his tail, would have all his fellow foxes cut off theirs.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

I say with Didacus Stella, a dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than a giant himself.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Old friends become bitter enemies on a sudden for toys and small offenses.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Smile with an intent to do mischief, or cozen him whom he salutes.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

All my griefs to this are jolly,
Naught so damn'd as melancholy.

Abstract to Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

[Diseases] crucify the soul of man, attenuate our bodies, dry them, wither them, shrivel them up like old apples, make them so many anatomies.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Put his shoulder to the wheel.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Felix Plater notes of some young physicians, that study to cure diseases, catch them themselves, will be sick, and appropriate all symptoms they find related of others to their own persons.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

"Let me not live," saith Aretine's Antonia, "if I had not rather hear thy discourse than see a play."

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

A good conscience is a continual feast.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Every other sin hath some pleasure annexed to it, or will admit of an excuse; envy alone wants both. Other sins last but for awhile; the gut may be satisfied, anger remits, hatred hath an end, envy never ceaseth.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Melancholy and despair, though often, do not always concur; there is much difference: melancholy fears without a cause, this upon great occasion; melancholy is caused by fear and grief, but this torment procures them and all extremity of bitterness.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

What physic, what chirurgery, what wealth, favor, authority can relieve, bear out, assuage, or expel a troubled conscience? A quiet mind cureth all them, but all they cannot comfort a distressed soul: who can put to silence the voice of desperation?

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

And were it not that they are loath to lay out money on a rope, they would be hanged forthwith, and sometimes die to save charges.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

[Witches] steal young children out of their cradles, ministerio dæmonum, and put deformed in their rooms, which we call changelings.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

I had not time to lick it into form, as a bear doth her young ones.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

It is most true, stylus virum arguit,—our style bewrays us.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Idleness is an appendix to nobility.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Going as if he trod upon eggs.

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Robert Burton (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.