The Anatomy of Melancholy

If he is fixed in a heresy or some perverse opinion, as some of our ignorant Papists are, convince his understanding, show him that sect’s various follies and absurdities, force him to say “I am defeated by the truth,” make it as clear as the sun: he will persist in error, perverse and obstinate as ever. As the saying goes, “If I am mistaken in this, I am gladly mistaken, and I do not want this error taken from me.” I will do as I have done, as my predecessors did, and as my friends now do: I will be a fool for company.

Tell me now: are these men mad or not? “Come, answer!” Are they ridiculous? “Name any judge you like.” Are they “of sound mind,” sober, wise, and sensible? Have they common sense? Which of these is the madder?

For my part, I agree with Democritus: I think they deserve to be laughed at, a company of brain-sick fools, as mad as Orestes and Athamas. Let them ride the ass and all sail off together to the Anticyras in the ship of fools. I need take little further trouble to prove what I say, make no solemn declaration or swear to it; I think you will believe me without an oath. In a word, are they fools? I leave it to you, though you too are fools and madmen, and I am just as mad to ask. For what did Mercury say in the comedy? It is foolish to ask justice of the unjust. Still, I will accept your judgement: what do you think?

But since I undertook at the outset to show that kingdoms, provinces, and families were melancholy as well as individuals, I will examine them separately. What I have so far discussed at large, in general terms, I will now consider in detail and prove with more specific and evident arguments, testimonies, and illustrations—and do so briefly. Now hear why everyone is as foolish as you.

My first argument comes from Solomon, an arrow drawn from his quiver of maxims. Proverbs 3:7: “Do not be wise in your own eyes.” And 26:12: “Do you see a man wise in his own opinion? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Isaiah pronounces woe upon such people, in 5:21: those “who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight.” From this we may gather that self-conceit is a serious fault, and that people who think too well of themselves are badly deceived: a particularly strong argument for proving their folly.

Many people, says Seneca, would undoubtedly have been wise if they had not imagined they had already reached perfect knowledge before they were even halfway there. Too forward, too ripe, too hasty, too quick and ready: wise too soon, pious too soon, husbands too soon, fathers too soon, priests too soon, too soon qualified for every office and eager to undertake it.

They thought too highly of themselves—of their worth, courage, skill, expertise, learning, judgement, eloquence, and good qualities—and that ruined everything. All their geese are swans; this plainly proves that they are no better than fools. In former times there were only seven wise men; now you can scarcely find as many fools.