No rule is so general, which admits not some exception; to this therefore which hath been hitherto said (for I shall otherwise put most men out of commons), and those inconveniences which proceed from the substance of meat, and intemperate or unseasonable use of them, custom somewhat detracts and qualifies, according to that of Hippocrates, 'Such things as we have been long accustomed to, though they be evil in their own nature, yet they are less offensive. . . .'

In this quote from "The Anatomy of Melancholy," Robert Burton delves into the interplay between rules and exceptions, focusing on the influence of dietary customs. He suggests that while general rules exist, they are not without exceptions. Burton uses the example of eating habits to illustrate this idea. Though certain foods or eating practices might inherently be harmful, people often find them less detrimental over time due to habitual consumption. This reflection harks back to Hippocrates, emphasizing that repeated exposure can lessen the perceived negativity of an inherently harmful element. Thus, Burton underscores the adaptability of human nature and how societal norms can mitigate the impact of otherwise negative influences. His insight into human behavior reveals a nuanced understanding of how exceptions are integral to the application of general rules.