"I have often admired the mystical way of Pythagoras, and the secret Magic of numbers."

Thomas Browne Literature See all quotes by Thomas Browne →

React to this quote

More by Thomas Browne

“For the world, I count it not an Inn, but a Hospital, and a place, not to live, but to die in.”

“There is surely a Physiognomy, which those experienced and Master Mendicants observe… For there are mystically in our faces certain Characters that carry in them the motto of our Souls, wherein he that cannot read A.B.C. may read our natures.”

“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.”

“The heart of man is the place the devil dwells in; I feel sometimes a hell within myself.”

“Who will not commend the wit of astrology? Venus, born out of the sea, hath her exaltation in Pisces.”

“I am not so much afraid of death, as ashamed thereof; 'tis the very disgrace and ignominy of our natures, that in a moment can so disfigure us that our nearest friends, Wife, and Children stand afraid and start at us.”

Resonant Thoughts

"The theories that I helped develop explained why unfettered markets often not only do not lead to social justice, but do not even produce efficient outcomes. Interestingly, there has been no intellect…"

— Joseph Stiglitz

Politics1943

#mind

"Many politicians, but also church leaders and do-gooders who are blind to the facts, played down the problem of a lack of integration for a long time, some even glossed it over. All camps have ignored…"

— Arnulf Baring

Science1932–2019

#leadership

"Let’s take a look at the 25th variation of the second part. Here Bach meets us in his highest and deepest personal and human form: it’s like in the Art of Fugue in the unfinished fugue No. 20, where B…"

— Burkard Schliessmann

Art2000

#life