Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Browne On The Cure Of All Diseases

...we all labour against our owne cure, for death is the cure of all diseases. There is no Catholicon or universall remedy I know but this, which thogh nauseous to queasie stomachs, yet to prepared appetites is Nectar and a pleasant potion of immortality.

Sir Thomas Browne, Religio Medici, Part II:10

Immediately this brings to mind scenes from George MacDonald's Lilith—the sexton’s house, where sleep is more than sleep, a blessèd balm, the rest of the soul for healing. In that work I experienced a deep longing, a salve, and I felt somehow like I had the innocence and lightness of childhood upon me.

2 comments:

  1. I was going to quote that line to you when ill to cheer you up!

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  2. Ha! Yeah. Do that. I think I already say something of the sort to myself every time I get the flu. :P It's more along the lines of "just shoot me," but... the end result is pretty much the same.

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Don't be a jerk.