An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Books Quotes

For every why he had a wherefore

For every why he had a wherefore

The truest characters of ignorance are vanity and pride and arrogance.

The truest characters of ignorance are vanity and pride and arrogance.

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.

The want of money is the root of all evil.

The want of money is the root of all evil.

Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to...

Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to...

Opinion governs all mankind, like the blind's leading of the blind

Opinion governs all mankind, like the blind's leading of the blind

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.

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...

A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg.

A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg.

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

Marriage is distinctly and repeatedly excluded from heaven. Is this because it is thought likely...

Marriage is distinctly and repeatedly excluded from heaven. Is this because it is thought likely...

If you follow reason far enough it always leads to conclusions that are contrary to...

If you follow reason far enough it always leads to conclusions that are contrary to...

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

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

Man is God's highest present development. He is the latest thing in God.

Man is God's highest present development. He is the latest thing in God.

Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish...

Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish...

Spontaneity is only a term for man's ignorance of the gods

Spontaneity is only a term for man's ignorance of the gods

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...

We think as we do, mainly because other people think so

We think as we do, mainly because other people think so

Much of the social history of the Western world, over the past three decades, has...

Much of the social history of the Western world, over the past three decades, has...

Thinking is like loving or dying. Each of us must do it for ourselves.

Thinking is like loving or dying. Each of us must do it for ourselves.