Robert Burton Quotes

A collection of quotes by Robert Burton.

Robert Burton (1577-1640) was an English scholar, clergyman, and writer, best known for his monumental work "The Anatomy of Melancholy." Born in Leicestershire, England, Burton was educated at Oxford University, where he later became a student and then a fellow of Christ Church College. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1599 and a Master of Arts degree in 1602, followed by a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1614.

Burton's most influential work, "The Anatomy of Melancholy," was first published in 1621 and expanded in subsequent editions. The book explores the causes, symptoms, and treatment of melancholy and was written as a comprehensive study on the subject. It delves into various aspects of human psychology, religious beliefs, and social customs of the time, offering a fascinating insight into the mindset of early seventeenth-century England.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Burton was also a respected clergyman and served as the incumbent of the parish of St. Thomas the Martyr in Oxford. He was known for his erudition, wit, and extensive knowledge across a wide range of subjects. Despite struggling with periods of melancholy himself, Burton's work made a lasting impact on the field of psychology and literature. He remains celebrated as a versatile and brilliant Renaissance scholar. Robert Burton died in 1640 and left behind a rich legacy of intellectual inquiry and captivating prose.

One was never married, and that's his hell; another is, and

One was never married, and that's his hell; another is, and that's his plague.

Cookery is become an art, a noble science; cooks are gentlem

Cookery is become an art, a noble science; cooks are gentlemen.

Art Science Gentlemen

Truth is the shattered mirror strewn in myriad bits; while e

Truth is the shattered mirror strewn in myriad bits; while each believes his little bit the whole to own

What is life, when wanting love? Night without a morning lov

What is life, when wanting love? Night without a morning love's the cloudless summer sun, nature gay adorning.

The fear of death is worse than death.

The fear of death is worse than death.

Tobacco, divine, rare, superexcellent tobacco, which goes fa

Tobacco, divine, rare, superexcellent tobacco, which goes far beyond all the panaceas, potable gold, and philosophers stones, a sovereign remedy to all diseases but as it is commonly abused by most men, which take it as tinkers do ale, 'Tis a plague, a mischief, a violent purger of goods, lands, health; hellish, devilish and damned tobacco, the ruin and overthrow of body and soul.

I may not here omit those two main plagues, and common dotag

I may not here omit those two main plagues, and common dotages of human kind, wine and women, which have infatuated and besotted myriads of people. They go commonly together.

A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword.

A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword.

A mere scholar, a mere ass.

A mere scholar, a mere ass.

Scholars Scholarship

Idleness is an appendix to nobility.

Idleness is an appendix to nobility.

No cord nor cable can so forcibly draw, or hold so fast, as

No cord nor cable can so forcibly draw, or hold so fast, as love can do with a twined thread.

What can't be cured must be endured.

What can't be cured must be endured.

They are proud in humility, proud that they are not proud.

They are proud in humility, proud that they are not proud.

Worldly wealth is the Devil's bait and those whose minds fee

Worldly wealth is the Devil's bait and those whose minds feed upon riches recede, in general, from real happiness, in proportion as their stores increase, as the moon, when she is fullest, is farthest from the sun.

Great feelings will often take the aspect of error, and grea

Great feelings will often take the aspect of error, and great faith the aspect of illusion.

To enlarge or illustrate this power and effect of love is to

To enlarge or illustrate this power and effect of love is to set a candle in the sun.

The devil is the author of confusion.

The devil is the author of confusion.

A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther

A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than a giant himself.

One was never married, and that's his hell another is, and t

One was never married, and that's his hell another is, and that's his plague.