John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
2151 Robert Burton 1577-1640 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 2151 |
| AUTHOR: | Robert Burton (1577–1640) |
| QUOTATION: | Almost in every kingdom the most ancient families have been at first princes’ bastards; their worthiest captains, best wits, greatest scholars, bravest spirits in all our annals, have been base [born]. |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Anatomy of Melancholy. Part ii. Sect. 2, Memb. 2. |