Thomas Browne
Thomas Browne
Sir Thomas Brownewas an English polymath and author of varied works which reveal his wide learning in diverse fields including science and medicine, religion and the esoteric. Browne's writings display a deep curiosity towards the natural world, influenced by the scientific revolution of Baconian enquiry. Browne's literary works are permeated by references to Classical and Biblical sources as well as the idiosyncrasies of his own personality. Although often described as suffering from melancholia, his writings are also characterised by wit...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth19 October 1605
I intend no Monopoly, but a Community in Learning; I study not for my own sake only, but for theirs that study not for themselves.
We term sleep a death, and yet it is waking that kills us, and destroys those spirits that are the house of life.
Half our days we pass in the shadow of the earth; and the brother of death exacteth a third part of our lives.
The heart of man is the place the devil dwells in; I feel sometimes a hell within myself.
The noblest Digladiation is in the Theatre of ourselves.
To me avarice seems not so much a vice as a deplorable piece of madness.
Where I cannot satisfy my reason, I love to humour my fancy.
I am not so much afraid of death, as ashamed thereof, 'tis the very disgrace and ignominy of our natures.
The world, which took six days to make, is likely to take us six thousand years to make out.
Praise is a debt we owe unto the virtue of others, and due unto our own from all whom malice hath not made mutes, or envy struck dumb.
Study prophecies when they are become histories.
He is like to be mistaken who makes choice of a covetous man for a friend, or relieth upon the reed of narrow and poltroon friendship. Pitiful things are only to be found in the cottages of such breasts; but bright thoughts, clear deeds, constancy, fidelity, bounty and generous honesty are the gems of noble minds, wherein (to derogate from none) the true, heroic English gentleman hath no peer.
To ruminate upon evils, to make critical notes upon injuries, and be too acute in their apprehensions, is to add unto our own tortures, to feather the arrows of our enemies, to lash ourselves with the scorpions of our foes, and to resolve to sleep no more.
Be substantially great in thyself, and more than thou appearest unto others.