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
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
avoid busy
I write of melancholy, by being busy to avoid melancholy.
hanging heaven marriage matches
Marriage and hanging go by destiny; matches are made in heaven
candle illustrate
To enlarge and illustrate this - is to set a candle in the sun.
anxiety cares fear full heart life silence
Most part of a lover's life is full of agony, anxiety, fear and grief, complaints, sighs, suspicions, and cares (heigh-ho my heart is woe), full of silence and irksome solitariness
attending bad english-writer good hath life man particular
Every man hath a good and a bad angel attending on him in particular all his life long.
deeper english-writer strikes
A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword.
english-writer marriage
One was never married, and that's his hell; another is, and that's his plague.
gay life love nature night summer wanting
What is life, when wanting love? Night without a morning; love's the cloudless summer sun, nature gay adorning.
families
Almost in every kingdom the most ancient families have been at first princes' bastards.
hearing melancholy men pleasing present remedy therefore
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
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.
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
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