A man should be just cultured enough to be able to look with suspicion upon culture at first, not second hand.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Samuel Butler Quotes

The phrase 'unconscious humor' is the one contribution I have made to the current literature...

The phrase 'unconscious humor' is the one contribution I have made to the current literature...

The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is to be...

The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is to be...

Life is like playing a violin in public and learning the instrument as one goes...

Life is like playing a violin in public and learning the instrument as one goes...

All progress is based upon a universal innate desire on the part of every organism...

All progress is based upon a universal innate desire on the part of every organism...

The oldest books are only just out to those who have not read them.

The oldest books are only just out to those who have not read them.

In old times people used to try and square the circle; now they try and...

In old times people used to try and square the circle; now they try and...

Mistakes are often the stepping stones to utter failure

Mistakes are often the stepping stones to utter failure

Some men love truth so much that they seem to be in continual fear lest...

Some men love truth so much that they seem to be in continual fear lest...

There is no bore like a clever bore.

There is no bore like a clever bore.

The voice of the Lord is the voice of common sense, which is shared by...

The voice of the Lord is the voice of common sense, which is shared by...

To know God better is only to realize how impossible it is that we should...

To know God better is only to realize how impossible it is that we should...

Mr. Tennyson has said that more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams...

Mr. Tennyson has said that more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams...

There is no such source of error as the pursuit of truth.

There is no such source of error as the pursuit of truth.

Happiness and misery depend not on how high up or low down you are -...

Happiness and misery depend not on how high up or low down you are -...

We shall never get people whose time is money to take much interest in atoms.

We shall never get people whose time is money to take much interest in atoms.

Youth is like spring, an overpraised season

Youth is like spring, an overpraised season

Man is the only animal that laughs and has a state legislature.

Man is the only animal that laughs and has a state legislature.

God cannot alter the past, though historians can.

God cannot alter the past, though historians can.

I believe that historians and analysts of historical events need the authority of facts supplied...

I believe that historians and analysts of historical events need the authority of facts supplied...

To write history is so difficult that most historians are forced to make concessions to...

To write history is so difficult that most historians are forced to make concessions to...