Robert Burton Quotes

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.

Robert Burton

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.

Robert Burton

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

Robert Burton

Aristotle said melancholy men of all others are most witty.

Robert Burton

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

Robert Burton

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

Robert Burton

All our geese are swans.

Robert Burton

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

Robert Burton

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

Robert Burton

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

Robert Burton

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.

Robert Burton

A nightingale dies for shame if another bird sings better.

Robert Burton

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

Robert Burton

Carcasses bleed at the sight of the murderer.

Robert Burton

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

Robert Burton