Lying has a kind of respect and reverence with it. We pay a person the compliment of acknowledging his superiority whenever we lie to him.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Samuel Butler Quotes

There is nothing so unthinkable as thought, unless it be the entire absence of thought.

There is nothing so unthinkable as thought, unless it be the entire absence of thought.

Mistakes are often the stepping stones to utter failure

Mistakes are often the stepping stones to utter failure

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 ideas are for the most part like bad sixpences, and we spend our lives...

Our ideas are for the most part like bad sixpences, and we spend our lives...

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

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...

You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it.

You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it.

Oaths are but words, and words are but wind.

Oaths are but words, and words are but wind.

Men should not try to overstrain their goodness more than any other faculty, bodily or...

Men should not try to overstrain their goodness more than any other faculty, bodily or...

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

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

There is nothing which at once affects a man so much and so little as...

There is nothing which at once affects a man so much and so little as...

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...

The most important service rendered by the press and the magazines is that of educating...

The most important service rendered by the press and the magazines is that of educating...

God cannot alter the past, that is why he is obliged to connive at the...

God cannot alter the past, that is why he is obliged to connive at the...

The truest characters of ignorance are vanity and pride and arrogance.

The truest characters of ignorance are vanity and pride and arrogance.

It is tact that is golden, not silence.

It is tact that is golden, not silence.

Nobody shoots at Santa Claus.

Nobody shoots at Santa Claus.

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...

Logic is like the sword - those who appeal to it, shall perish by it.

Logic is like the sword - those who appeal to it, shall perish by it.

Look before you leap for as you sow, ye are like to reap.

Look before you leap for as you sow, ye are like to reap.