Robert Burton
Robert Burton
An Oxford University scholar, he is best known for his classic 1621 work, The Anatomy of Melancholy. He was also a mathematician and an amateur astrologer.
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionTeacher
Date of Birth8 February 1577
avoid busy
I write of melancholy, by being busy to avoid melancholy.
die hanged lay loath money save
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.
hanging heaven marriage matches
Marriage and hanging go by destiny; matches are made in heaven
law none today tomorrow
That which is a law today is none tomorrow
dwarf farther giant himself shoulders standing
I say with Didacus Stella, a dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than a giant himself
cannot costs good
Who cannot give good counsel? 'Tis cheap, it costs them nothing
hath
We can say nothing but what hath been said
chapel devil god hath
Where God hath a temple, the Devil will have a chapel
books books-and-reading fat lean works
They lard their lean books with the fat of others' works
father son struck
Diogenes struck the father when the son swore
admit alone both envy hath pleasure sin wants
Every other sin hath some pleasure annexed to it, or will admit of an excuse: envy alone wants both
beyond charming human magnetic motive powerful woman
There is something in a woman beyond all human delight; a magnetic virtue, a charming quality, an occult and powerful motive
humility proud
They are proud in humility, proud that they are not proud.
humility proud
They are proud in humility; proud in that they are not proud