Quotes from Robert Burton

those impious epicures, libertines, atheists, hypocrites, infidels, worldly, secure, impenitent, unthankful, and carnal-minded men, that attribute all to natural causes, that will acknowledge no supreme power; that have cauterized consciences, or live in a reprobate sense; or such desperate persons as are too distrustful of his mercies.

If the world will be gulled, let it be gulled.

Almost in every kingdom the most ancient families have been at first princes' bastards.

A good conscience is a continual feast.

A quiet mind cureth all.

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

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

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 great faith the aspect of illusion.

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

If the world will be gulled, let it be gulled.

Set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride a gallop.

Employment... is so essential to human happiness that indolence is justly considered the mother of misery.

To think well of every other man's condition, and to dislike our own, is one of the misfortunes of human nature.

Diogenes struck the father when the son swore.

The men who succeed are the efficient few. They are the few who have the ambition and will power to develop themselves.

It is a sovereign remedy against Despair and Melancholy.

Idleness is an appendix to nobility.

We can make mayors and officers every year, but not scholars.

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

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

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

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

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