I really do not see much use in exalting the humble and meek; they do not remain humble and meek long when they are exalted.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Samuel Butler Quotes

Men are seldom more commonplace than on supreme occasions.

Men are seldom more commonplace than on supreme occasions.

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

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...

A skilful leech is better far, than half a hundred men of war.

A skilful leech is better far, than half a hundred men of war.

God cannot alter the past, though historians can.

God cannot alter the past, though historians can.

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...

To die is but to leave off dying and do the thing once for all.

To die is but to leave off dying and do the thing once for all.

Evil is like water, it abounds, is cheap, soon fouls, but runs itself clear of...

Evil is like water, it abounds, is cheap, soon fouls, but runs itself clear of...

Those who have never had a father can at any rate never know the sweets...

Those who have never had a father can at any rate never know the sweets...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

I am the enfant terrible of literature and science

I am the enfant terrible of literature and science

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

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

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...

The best liar is he who makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest...

The best liar is he who makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest...

All truth is not to be told at all times.

All truth is not to be told at all times.

If I die prematurely I shall be saved from being bored to death at my...

If I die prematurely I shall be saved from being bored to death at my...

Christ and The Church: If he were to apply for a divorce on the grounds...

Christ and The Church: If he were to apply for a divorce on the grounds...