For most men, and most circumstances, pleasure --tangible material prosperity in this world --is the safest test of virtue. Progress has ever been through the pleasures rather than through the extreme sharp virtues, and the most virtuous have leaned to…

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Love Quotes, Pleasure Quotes

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

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

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

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

The seven deadly sins: Want of money, bad health, bad temper, chastity, family ties, knowing...

The seven deadly sins: Want of money, bad health, bad temper, chastity, family ties, knowing...

The healthy stomach is nothing if it is not conservative. Few radicals have good digestions.

The healthy stomach is nothing if it is not conservative. Few radicals have good digestions.

Young as he was, his instinct told him that the best liar is he who...

Young as he was, his instinct told him that the best liar is he who...

Don't learn to do, but learn in doing. Let your falls not be on a...

Don't learn to do, but learn in doing. Let your falls not be on a...

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

A man's friendships are, like his will, invalidated by marriage - but they are also...

A man's friendships are, like his will, invalidated by marriage - but they are also...

Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he...

Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he...

Parents are the last people on earth who ought to have children.

Parents are the last people on earth who ought to have children.

In law, nothing is certain but the expense.

In law, nothing is certain but the expense.

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...

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...

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...

A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner, but more...

A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner, but more...

Vaccination is the medical sacrament corresponding to baptism. Whether it is or is not more...

Vaccination is the medical sacrament corresponding to baptism. Whether it is or is not more...

I am the enfant terrible of literature and science

I am the enfant terrible of literature and science

A physician's physiology has much the same relation to his power of healing as a...

A physician's physiology has much the same relation to his power of healing as a...

Women can stand a beating except when it is with their own weapons.

Women can stand a beating except when it is with their own weapons.

Academic and aristocratic people live in such an uncommon atmosphere that common sense can rarely...

Academic and aristocratic people live in such an uncommon atmosphere that common sense can rarely...