It is seldom very hard to do one's duty when one knows what it is, but it is often exceedingly difficult to find this out.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Samuel Butler Quotes

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

It is the function of vice to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

It is the function of vice to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

One should judge by appearance only: what is hidden should remain so

One should judge by appearance only: what is hidden should remain so

Human life is as evanescent as the morning dew or a flash of lightning.

Human life is as evanescent as the morning dew or a flash of lightning.

Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a...

Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a...

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...

Justice while she winks at crimes, Stumbles on innocence sometimes

Justice while she winks at crimes, Stumbles on innocence sometimes

Virtue knows that it is impossible to get on without compromise, and tunes herself, as...

Virtue knows that it is impossible to get on without compromise, and tunes herself, as...

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...

If people would dare to speak to one another unreservedly, there would be a good...

If people would dare to speak to one another unreservedly, there would be a good...

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.

Words are not as satisfactory as we should like them to be, but, like our...

Words are not as satisfactory as we should like them to be, but, like our...

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...

Our minds want clothes as much as our bodies.

Our minds want clothes as much as our bodies.

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself...

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself...

Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden - not silence

Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden - not silence

Priests are not men of the world; it is not intended that they should be;...

Priests are not men of the world; it is not intended that they should be;...

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...

Let us eat and drink neither forgetting death unduly nor remembering it. The Lord hath...

Let us eat and drink neither forgetting death unduly nor remembering it. The Lord hath...

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...