Quotes By Author

Quotations By Samuel Butler

Analysis

Though analogy is often misleading, it is the least misleading thing we have. -- Samuel Butler

Animals

All animals but men know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it -and they do enjoy it as much as man and other circumstances will allow it.

Beliefs

Cursed is he that does not know when to shut his mind. An open mind is all very well in its way, but it ought not to be so open that there is no keeping anything in or out of it. It should be capable of shutting its doors sometimes, or may be found a little draughty.

Bore

There is no bore like a clever bore.

Change

All progress is based upon the universal innate desire on the part of every organism to live beyond its income.

History

God cannot alter the past, that is why he is obliged to connive at the existence of historians.

Honesty

The best liar is he who makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest way. -- Samuel Butler

Honesty

I do not mind lying, but I hate inaccuracy. -- Samuel Butler

Honesty

Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to know how to lie well. -- Samuel Butler

Life

Life is a quarry, out of which we are to mold and chisel and complete a character. -- Samuel Butler

Progress

All progress is based upon a universal innate desire of every organism to live beyond its income.