What song the Syrens sang, or what name Achilles assumed when he hid himself among women, though puzzling questions, are not beyond all conjecture. Thomas Browne More Quotes by Thomas Browne More Quotes From Thomas Browne 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. Thomas Browne honesty choices men Light is but the shadow of God. Thomas Browne shadow light Do the devils lie? No; for then even hell could not subsist. Thomas Browne hell devil lying Oblivion is not to be hired. Thomas Browne oblivion Grave-stones tell truth scarce forty years. Generations pass while families last not three oaks. Thomas Browne lasts stones years Should your riches increase, let your mind keep pace with them. Thomas Browne riches pace mind They do most by Books, who could do much without them, and he that chiefly owes himself unto himself, is the substantial Man. Thomas Browne men book With what shift and pains we come into the World we remember not; but 'tis commonly found no easy matter to get out of it. Thomas Browne pain death world I am not so much afraid of death, as ashamed thereof, 'tis the very disgrace and ignominy of our natures. Thomas Browne ignominy ashamed death Men have lost their reason in nothing so much as their religion, wherein stones and clouts make martyrs. Thomas Browne reason stones men Charity begins at home, is the voice of the world. Thomas Browne voice home world Where I cannot satisfy my reason, I love to humour my fancy. Thomas Browne humour fancy reason To me avarice seems not so much a vice as a deplorable piece of madness. Thomas Browne madness pieces vices There is another man within me that's angry with me. Thomas Browne angry anger men Circles and right lines limit and close all bodies, and the mortal right-lined circle must conclude and shut up all. Thomas Browne lines circles body I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less. Thomas Browne envy men knowledge Miserable men commiserate not themselves; bowelless unto others, and merciless unto their own bowels. Thomas Browne misery miserable men Be deaf unto the suggestions of tale-bearers, calumniators, pick-thank or malevolent detractors, who, while quiet men sleep, sowing the tares of discord and division, distract the tranquillity of charity and all friendly society. These are the tongues that set the world on fire--cankerers of reputation, and, like that of Jonah's gourd, wither a good name in a single night. Thomas Browne sleep men night 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. Thomas Browne dream laughing way Art is the perfection of nature, ... nature is the art of God. Thomas Browne art-is perfection art
