One was never married, and that's his hell; another is, and that's his plague.

In this quote, Robert Burton, an English scholar and writer, reflects on the complexities of marriage through a humorous yet somewhat cynical lens. By saying, "One was never married, and that's his hell; another is, and that's his plague," Burton suggests that both the state of being unmarried and the state of being married come with their own unique set of struggles. For the person who is unmarried, the absence of marriage becomes a source of loneliness and frustration, while for the person who is married, the relationship itself can become a source of burden and discontent.

Burton's statement highlights the tension between the desire for companionship and the challenges that often come with it. On one hand, singleness can feel like a form of isolation or missed opportunity, while on the other, marriage may involve ongoing difficulties, sacrifices, and the adjustment to another person’s needs and expectations. His use of hell and plague illustrates the idea that neither state is free from hardship, thus presenting marriage and singleness as two sides of the same coin—both offering their own forms of suffering.

This perspective reflects Burton's broader views in his work The Anatomy of Melancholy, where he explores the emotional and psychological states of individuals, particularly in relation to love, relationships, and human nature. He is known for examining the often-contradictory aspects of life and using humor to point out the absurdities of human experience. By likening both states to forms of suffering, Burton encourages readers to consider the inherent flaws and challenges in all aspects of life.

Ultimately, Burton’s quote offers a pessimistic yet relatable view on marriage and singleness, suggesting that both are imperfect and come with their own trials. It reflects the timeless human dilemma of choosing between two challenging paths, each of which may lead to some form of discontent, yet neither path is devoid of value or meaning.