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

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

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

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...

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

I am; therefore, I think.

I am; therefore, I think.

In the midst of vice we are in virtue, and vice versa.

In the midst of vice we are in virtue, and vice versa.

He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still.

He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still.

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

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

Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.

Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.

It is tact that is golden, not silence.

It is tact that is golden, not silence.

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.

People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

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

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

If life must not be taken too seriously, then so neither must death.

If life must not be taken too seriously, then so neither must death.

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...

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.

They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription....

They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription....

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...

Young people have a marvelous faculty of either dying or adapting themselves to circumstances.

Young people have a marvelous faculty of either dying or adapting themselves to circumstances.