Quotes from Robert Burton

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

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

I would help others, out of a fellow-feeling.

It is most true, stylus virum arguit, - our style betrays us.

He is only fanastical that is not in fashion.

For idleness is an appendix to nobility.

ìIdleness is an appendix to nobilityî

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

England is a paradise for women, and hell for horses: Italy is a paradise for horses, hell for women.

Many men are melancholy by hearing music, but it is a pleasing melancholy that it causeth; and therefore to such as are discontent, in woe, fear, sorrow, or dejected, it is a most present remedy.

Health indeed is a precious thing, to recover and preserve which we undergo any misery, drink bitter potions, freely give our goods: restore a man to his health, his purse lies open to thee.

Seneca thinks the gods are well pleased when they see great men contending with adversity.

Aristotle said melancholy men of all others are most witty.

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

All our geese are swans.

A mere madness, to live like a wretch and die rich.

[The rich] are indeed rather possessed by their money than possessors.

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

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.

A nightingale dies for shame if another bird sings better.

No rule is so general, which admits not some exception.

Carcasses bleed at the sight of the murderer.

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

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?