Man is the only animal that laughs and has a state legislature.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Samuel Butler Quotes

Oaths are but words, and words are but wind.

Oaths are but words, and words are but wind.

Vaccination is the medical sacrament corresponding to baptism. Whether it is or is not more...

Vaccination is the medical sacrament corresponding to baptism. Whether it is or is not more...

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...

A sense of humor keen enough to show a man his own absurdities will keep...

A sense of humor keen enough to show a man his own absurdities will keep...

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...

To be at all is to be religious more or less

To be at all is to be religious more or less

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...

The history of art is the history of revivals

The history of art is the history of revivals

Let every man be true and every god a liar.

Let every man be true and every god a liar.

Don't learn to do, but learn in doing. Let your falls not be on a...

Don't learn to do, but learn in doing. Let your falls not be on a...

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

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

The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing should be taken...

The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing should be taken...

Oaths are but words, and words but wind.

Oaths are but words, and words but wind.

Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.

Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.

One who is proud of ancestry is like a turnip; there is nothing good of...

One who is proud of ancestry is like a turnip; there is nothing good of...

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

To live is like to love - all reason is against it, and all healthy...

To live is like to love - all reason is against it, and all healthy...

Love is a boy, by poets styled, Then spare the rod, and spoil the child

Love is a boy, by poets styled, Then spare the rod, and spoil the child

It is funny about life: if you refuse to accept anything but the very best...

It is funny about life: if you refuse to accept anything but the very best...

Looking back, I have this to regret, that too often when I loved, I did...

Looking back, I have this to regret, that too often when I loved, I did...