39 Quotes by Richard Francis Burton

How melancholy a thing is success. Whilst failure inspirits a man, attainment reads the sad prosy lesson that all our glories "Are shadows, not substantial things." Truly said the sayer, "disappointment is the salt of life" a salutary bitter which strengthens the mind for fresh exertion, and gives a double value to the prize.

One cannot look at the sea without wishing for the wings of a swallow.

If you can’t laugh together in bed, the chances are you are incompatible, anyway. I’d rather hear a girl laugh well than try to turn me on with long, silent, soulful, secret looks. If you can laugh with a woman, everything else falls into place.

Of the gladdest moments in human life...is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands.

Do what thy manhood bids thee do, from none but self expect applause. He noblest lives and noblest dies who makes and keeps his self-made laws.

Broke is a temporary condition, poor is a state of mind.

Home is where the books are.

Reason is Life’s sole arbiter, themagic Laby’rinth’s single clue...

Conquer thyself, till thou has done this, thou art but a slave; for it is almost as well to be subjected to another’s appetite as to thine own.