It is most true, stylus virum arguit, our style bewrays us

It is most true, stylus virum arguit, our style bewrays us

The Latin phrase "stylus virum arguit" translates to "the style betrays the man," and it is a concept that has been explored by many writers throughout history. One such writer who delved into this idea was Robert Burton, a 17th-century English scholar and author best known for his work "The Anatomy of Melancholy."

In his magnum opus, Burton delves into the complexities of human nature and the various factors that contribute to melancholy, or what we might now call depression. One of the key themes that Burton explores in his work is the idea that a person's writing style can reveal much about their inner thoughts, emotions, and character.

Burton believed that the way in which a person writes can betray their true self, exposing their fears, desires, and insecurities. He argued that our writing style is a reflection of our innermost thoughts and feelings, and that by examining the way in which we express ourselves on the page, we can gain insight into our own psyche.

Burton's belief in the power of style to reveal the truth about a person is a concept that has endured through the centuries. Many writers and scholars have since explored the idea that our writing style can provide clues about our personality, beliefs, and motivations.