Quotes from book
The Anatomy of Melancholy

The Anatomy of Melancholy

The Anatomy of Melancholy is a book by Robert Burton, first published in 1621, but republished five more times over the next seventeen years with massive alterations and expansions.


Robert Burton photo

“Though they [philosophers] write contemptu gloriæ, yet as Hieron observes, they will put their names to their books.”

Section 2, member 3, subsection 14.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part I

Robert Burton photo

“And hold one another's noses to the grindstone hard.”

Section 1, member 3.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

Robert Burton photo

“He is only fantastical that is not in fashion.”

Section 2, member 2, subsection 3.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

Robert Burton photo

“Aristotle said melancholy men of all others are most witty.”

Section 3, member 1, subsection 3.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part I

Robert Burton photo

“Who cannot give good counsel? 'Tis cheap, it costs them nothing.”

Section 2, member 3, Air rectified. With a digression of the Air.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part II

Robert Burton photo

“Every schoolboy hath that famous testament of Grunnius Corocotta Porcellus at his fingers' end.”

Section 1, member 1, subsection 1.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

Robert Burton photo

“Going as if he trod upon eggs.”

Section 2, member 3.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

Robert Burton photo

“Birds of a feather will gather together.”

Section 1, member 1, subsection 2, Love's Beginning, Object, Definition, Division.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

Robert Burton photo

“Hannibal, as he had mighty virtues, so had he many vices; he had two distinct persons in him.”

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Democritus Junior to the Reader

Robert Burton photo

“As clear and as manifest as the nose in a man's face.”

Section 3, member 4, subsection 1.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

Robert Burton photo
Robert Burton photo

“We can make majors and officers every year, but not scholars.”

Section 2, member 3, subsection 15, Love of Learning, or overmuch study. With a Digression of the misery of Scholars, and why the Muses are Melancholy.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part I

Robert Burton photo
Robert Burton photo

“Though it rain daggers with their points downward.”

Section 2, member 3.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

Robert Burton photo

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

Section 2, member 4, subsection 7, A heap of other Accidents causing Melancholy, Death of Friends, Losses, etc.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part I

Robert Burton photo

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

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Democritus Junior to the Reader

Robert Burton photo

“To these crocodile tears they will add sobs, fiery sighs, and sorrowful countenance.”

Section 2, member 2, subsection 4.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

Robert Burton photo

“Everything, saith Epictetus, hath two handles,—the one to be held by, the other not.”

Section 2, member 3.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part II

Robert Burton photo

“Smile with an intent to do mischief, or cozen him whom he salutes.”

The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Democritus Junior to the Reader

Robert Burton photo

“They have cheveril consciences that will stretch.”

Section 4, member 2, subsection 3.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III