No one should approach the temple of science with the soul of a money changer.
Thomas BrowneRead
Though it be in the power of the weakest arm to take away life, it is not in the strongest to deprive us of death.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the inevitability of death, regardless of one's power or strength.
Thomas Browne's quote suggests that while even the weakest can end a life, the act of death is out of reach of any power, no matter how strong. It implies that death is an intrinsic part of life that cannot be controlled or avoided, emphasizing the futility of trying to escape it through dominion or strength.
Themes
DeathLifePowerWeaknessInevitabilityPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be referenced in a discussion about mortality in a philosophy class.
More from Thomas Browne
All quotes βContent may dwell in all stations. To be low but above contempt may be high enough to be happy.
Thomas BrowneRead
Thus there are two books from whence I collect my Divinity; besides that written one of God, another of his servant Nature, that universal and public Manuscript, that lies expans'd unto the eyes of all; those that never saw him in the one, have discovered him in the other.
Thomas BrowneRead
To be content with death may be better than to desire it.
Thomas BrowneRead
Life itself is but the shadow of death, and souls departed but the shadows of the living.
Thomas BrowneRead
The long habit of living indisposeth us for dying.
Thomas BrowneRead
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