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

God cannot alter the past, though historians can.

God cannot alter the past, though historians can.

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...

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...

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

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

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....

X-rays will prove to be a hoax

X-rays will prove to be a hoax

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...

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;...

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

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

Some men love truth so much that they seem to be in continual fear lest...

Some men love truth so much that they seem to be in continual fear lest...

Friendship is like money, more easily made than kept.

Friendship is like money, more easily made than kept.

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...

Justice is my being allowed to do whatever I like. Injustice is whatever prevents my...

Justice is my being allowed to do whatever I like. Injustice is whatever prevents my...

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...

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...

All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is...

All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is...

Our minds want clothes as much as our bodies.

Our minds want clothes as much as our bodies.

Though analogy is often misleading, it is the least misleading thing we have.

Though analogy is often misleading, it is the least misleading thing we have.

To himself everyone is immortal; he may know that he is going to die, but...

To himself everyone is immortal; he may know that he is going to die, but...

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.