The Anatomy of Melancholy

Some delight to destroy, one to build, another to spoil one countrey to enrich another and himself. In all these things they are like children, in whom is no judgment or councel, and resemble beasts, saving that beasts are better then they, as being contented with nature. When shall you see a Lion hide gold in the ground, or a Bul contend for a better pasture? when a Boar is thirsty, he drinks what will serve him, and no more: and when his belly is ful, he ceaseth to eat: But men are immoderate in both; as in lust, they covet carnal copulation at set times; men always, ruinating thereby the health of their bodies.

And doth it not deserve laughter, to see an amorous fool torment himself for a wench; weep, howl for a mis-shapen slut, a dowdy, sometimes that might have his choice of the finest beauties? Is there any remedy for this in physick? I do anatomize and cut up these poor beasts, to see these distempers, vanities, and follies, yet such proof were better made on mans body, if my kinde nature would indure it: Who from the hour of his birth is most miserable, weak and sickly; when he sucks he is guided by others; when he is grown great practiseth unhappinesse, and is sturdy, and when old, a childe again, and repenteth him of his life past.

And here being interrupted by one that brought books, he fell to it again, that all were mad, carelesse, stupid. To prove my former speeches, look into courts, or private houses. Judges give judgement according to their own advantage, doing manifest wrong to poor innocents, to please others. Notaries alter sentences, and for money lose their Deeds. Some make false moneys, others counterfeit false weights. Some abuse their parents, yea corrupt their own sisters, others make long libels and pasquils, defaming men of good life, and extol such as are lewd and vicious. Some rob one, some another; Magistrates make laws against theeves, and are the veriest theeves themselves. Some kill themselves, others despair, not obtaining their desires. Some dance, sing, laugh, feast and banquet, whilest others sigh, languish, mourn and lament, having neither meat, drink, nor clothes.