Thursday, March 19, 2009

Seek, but shall thou find . . .

Today is the birthday of Richard Francis Burton (March 19, 1821 – October 20, 1890), explorer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, ethnologist, linguist, poet, hypnotist, fencer and diplomat.

Sir Richard Francis Burton is well known for his translation of the Kama Sutra, plus his extraordinary knowledge of languages and cultures. He spoke 29 European, Asian, and African languages. He was the author of 43 volumes on his explorations and almost 30 volumes of translations, including a 16-volume translation of The Arabian Nights. Sir Richard Francis Burton is a controversial figure and while some considered him a hero, others considered him a scoundrel.

"Friends of my youth, a last adieu! haply some day we meet again;
Yet ne'er the self-same men shall meet; the years shall make us other men." - Sir Richard Francis Burton

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. - Sir Richard Francis Burton

"All Faith is false, all Faith is true:
Truth is the shattered mirror strown
In myriad bits; while each believes
His little bit the whole to own."
- Sir Richard Francis Burton

"Yes Truth may be, but 'tis not Here;
mankind must seek and find it There,
But Where nor I nor you can tell,
nor aught earth-mother ever bare.
Enough to think that Truth can be:
come sit we where the roses glow,
Indeed he knows not how to know
who knows not also how to unknow."
- Sir Richard Burton

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