Half the vices which the world condemns most loudly have seeds of good in them and require moderate use rather than total abstinence.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Samuel Butler Quotes

Christ was only crucified once and for a few hours. Think of the hundreds of...

Christ was only crucified once and for a few hours. Think of the hundreds of...

Lying has a kind of respect and reverence with it. We pay a person the...

Lying has a kind of respect and reverence with it. We pay a person the...

A sense of humor keen enough to show a man his own absurdities will keep...

A sense of humor keen enough to show a man his own absurdities will keep...

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

I do not mind lying, but I hate inaccuracy.

I do not mind lying, but I hate inaccuracy.

Christ: I dislike him very much. Still, I can stand him. What I cannot stand...

Christ: I dislike him very much. Still, I can stand him. What I cannot stand...

For most men, and most circumstances, pleasure --tangible material prosperity in this world --is the...

For most men, and most circumstances, pleasure --tangible material prosperity in this world --is the...

Work with some men is as besetting a sin as idleness.

Work with some men is as besetting a sin as idleness.

The only living works are those which have drained much of the author's own life...

The only living works are those which have drained much of the author's own life...

We are not won by arguments that we can analyze but by the tone and...

We are not won by arguments that we can analyze but by the tone and...

Life is not an exact science, it is an art.

Life is not an exact science, it is an art.

It has been said that the love of money is the root of all evil....

It has been said that the love of money is the root of all evil....

The extremes of glory and of shame, Like east and west, become the same No...

The extremes of glory and of shame, Like east and west, become the same No...

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

All truth is not to be told at all times.

All truth is not to be told at all times.

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

Letters are like wine; if they are sound they ripen with keeping. A man should...

Letters are like wine; if they are sound they ripen with keeping. A man should...

Death is only a larger kind of going abroad.

Death is only a larger kind of going abroad.

Silence and tact may or may not be the same thing.

Silence and tact may or may not be the same thing.

Men should not try to overstrain their goodness more than any other faculty, bodily or...

Men should not try to overstrain their goodness more than any other faculty, bodily or...