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
We term sleep a death by which we may be literally said to die daily; in fine, so like death, I dare not trust it without my prayers.
Forcible ways make not an end of evil, but leave hatred and malice behind them.
I am in no way facetious, nor disposed for the mirth and galliardize of company, yet in one dream I can compose a whole Comedy, behold the action, apprehend the jests, and laugh myself awake at the conceits thereof.
Think before you act; think twice before you speak.
Persecution is a bad and indirect way to plan religion.
Death hath a thousand doors to let out life. I shall find one.
I have tried if I could reach that great resolution . . . to be honest without a thought of Heaven or Hell.
To be content with death may be better than to desire it.
If there be any among those common objects of hatred I do contemn and laugh at, it is that great enemy of reason, virtue, and religion, the multitude; that numerous piece of monstrosity, which, taken asunder, seem men, and the reasonable creatures of God, but, confused together, make but one great beast, and a monstrosity more prodigious than Hydra.
Therefore for Spirits, I am so far from denying their existence that I could easily believe, that not only whole Countries, but particular persons, have their Tutelary and Guardian Angels.
To believe only possibilities is not faith, but mere Philosophy.
I have often admired the mystical way of Pythagoras, and the secret magick of numbers.
The religion of one seems madness unto another.
True affection is a body of enigmas, mysteries and riddles, wherein two so become one that they both become two.