Quote#World
To be nameless in worthy deeds exceeds an infamous history
Quote byThomas Browne · 1605–1682
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Hydriotaphia, Urn Burial (1658), Chapter V.
English (original)
To be nameless in worthy deeds exceeds an infamous history. But the iniquity of oblivion blindly scattereth her poppy, and deals with the memory of men without distinction to merit of perpetuity. Who can but pity the founder of the Pyramids? Herostratus lives that burnt the Temple of Diana, he is almost lost that built it.
— Thomas Browne
More from Thomas Browne
I could never divide myself from any man upon the difference of an opinion, or be angry with his judgement for not agreeing with me in that, from which perhaps within a few days I should dissent myself.
Who will not commend the wit of astrology? Venus, born out of the sea, hath her exaltation in Pisces.
Thus is man that great and true Amphibium, whose nature is disposed to live not only like other creatures in diverse elements, but in divided and distinguished worlds.
When we desire to confine our words, we commonly say they are spoken under the rose.
Persecution is a bad and indirect way to plant Religion.
A man may be in as just possession of Truth as of a City, and yet be forced to surrender.