Change Quote by Robert Burton
““as{268} Petrarch observes, we change language, habits, laws, customs, manners, but not vices, not diseases, not the symptoms of folly and madness, they are still the same.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Anatomy of Melancholy, 1621
Language and customs evolve, yet human vices, diseases, and folly remain unchanged.
In simple terms: Human flaws persist despite change.
Key Takeaway
Address underlying vices.
Themes
society
language
vice
madness
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- public health
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What interventions target persistent vices?
- How does language shape our view of folly?
A Different Perspective
Changing language alone won’t fix deep-rooted problems.
![“[He who can describe how his heart is ablaze is burning on a small pyre] ~ Petrarch, Sonnet 137 (from Montaigne, On sadness)” quote by Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/41c/petrarch-6716_essays_he-who-can-describe-how-his-heart-is-abl_2303617.jpg)
![“[E]very man hath liberty to write, but few ability. Heretofore learning was graced by judicious scholars, but now noble sciences are vilified by base and illiterate scribblers, that either write for vain-glory, need, to get money, or as Parasites to flatter and collogue with some great men, they…” quote by Robert Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/792/robert-burton-10069_books_e-very-man-hath-liberty-to-write-but-few_213260.jpg)
