Quotes from book
The Anatomy of Melancholy

Name: The Anatomy of Melancholy
Author: Robert Burton

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.

“They lard their lean books with the fat of others' works.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

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

“A good conscience is a continual feast.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

Section 4, member 2, subsection 3, Causes of Despair, the Devil, Melancholy, Meditation, Distrust, Weakness of Faith, Rigid Ministers, Misunderstanding Scriptures, Guilty Consciences, etc.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part III

“The Chinese say that we Europeans have one eye, they themselves two, all the world else is blinde.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

Ed. 6, p. 40.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)

“As that great captain, Ziska, would have a drum made of his skin when he was dead, because he thought the very noise of it would put his enemies to flight.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

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

“Machiavel says virtue and riches seldom settle on one man.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

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

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

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

Section 2, member 3, subsection 12, Covetousness, a Cause.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part I

“Women wear the breeches.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

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

“All poets are mad.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

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

“Every other sin hath some pleasure annexed to it, or will admit of an excuse; envy alone wants both.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

Section 2, member 3, subsection 7, Envy, Malice, Hatred, Causes.
The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621), Part I
Context: 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.

“Rob Peter, and pay Paul.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy

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

“Our conscience, which is a great ledger book, wherein are written all our offenses…grinds our souls with the remembrance of some precedent sins, makes us reflect upon, accuse and condemn ourselves.”

Robert Burton book The Anatomy of Melancholy