No one seriously doubts Socrates' maxim: The unexamined life isn't worth living. Self-assessment and attempts at self-improvement are essential aspec…

- Robert A. Burton

Every schoolboy hath that famous testament of Grunnius Corocotta Porcellus at his fingers end.

- Robert A. Burton

Good science requires distinguishing between "felt knowledge" and knowledge arising out of testable observations. "I am sure" is a mental sensation, …

- Robert A. Burton

Temperance is a bridle of gold; he, who uses it rightly, is more like a god than a man.

- Robert A. Burton

We want to be known for having original ideas, inspired hunches, and gut feelings that make a difference. Indeed, a "well-honed sixth sense"' is cons…

- Robert A. Burton

Tobacco, divine, rare, superexcellent tobacco, which goes far beyond all the panaceas, potable gold, and philosophers stones, a sovereign remedy to a…

- Robert A. Burton

Certainty and similar states of ‘knowing what we know’ arise out of involuntary brain mechanisms that, like love or anger, function independently of …

- Robert A. Burton

Properly conducted scientific studies . . . give us a pretty good idea of when something is likely to be correct. To me, pretty good is a linguistic …

- Robert A. Burton

Hope and patience are two sovereign remedies for all, the surest reposals, the softest cushions to lean on in adversity.

- Robert A. Burton