No one should approach the temple of science with the soul of a money changer.
Thomas BrowneRead
A man may be in as just possession of the truth as of a city, and yet be forced to surrender.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Truth can be held as dearly as a possession, yet circumstances may compel one to relinquish it.
This quote by Thomas Browne reflects on the nature of truth and ownership. It suggests that while one may feel entitled to the truth, similar to owning a city, external forces or pressures can force an individual to give it up, highlighting the fragility of truth in the face of adversity or coercive situations.
Themes
TruthPossessionSurrenderCircumstancesPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on moral dilemmas, one can reference this quote to emphasize the difficulty in maintaining truth.
More from Thomas Browne
All quotes βContent may dwell in all stations. To be low but above contempt may be high enough to be happy.
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Thus there are two books from whence I collect my Divinity; besides that written one of God, another of his servant Nature, that universal and public Manuscript, that lies expans'd unto the eyes of all; those that never saw him in the one, have discovered him in the other.
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To be content with death may be better than to desire it.
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Life itself is but the shadow of death, and souls departed but the shadows of the living.
Thomas BrowneRead
The long habit of living indisposeth us for dying.
Thomas BrowneRead
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