"Of all the habits that were hard to break being bookish was perhaps the most difficult," (p. viii).

"Robert Burton may have momentarily put aside his pen on December 5, 1620, to declare his work done; however, since sales were solid and five fresh editions needed, he let his baby go from gigantic to gargantuan," (p. ix).

"Yet in some sort to give thee satisfaction, which is more than I need, I will show a reason, both of this usurped name and title, and subject," (p. 15).

"Before I proceed to define the disease of melancholy, what it is, or to discourse further of it, I hold it not impertinent to make a brief digression to make an anatomy of the body and faculties of the soul, for the better understanding of that which is to follow, because many hard words will often occur as myrach, hypochondries, hemrods, etc., imagination, reason...