The only living works are those which have drained much of the author's own life into them.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Samuel Butler Quotes

It is tact that is golden, not silence.

It is tact that is golden, not silence.

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...

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

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

The advantage of doing one's praising for oneself is that one can lay it on...

The advantage of doing one's praising for oneself is that one can lay it on...

Theist and atheist: the fight between them is as to whether God shall be called...

Theist and atheist: the fight between them is as to whether God shall be called...

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

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

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

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...

There is such a thing as doing good that evil may come.

There is such a thing as doing good that evil may come.

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...

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.

If you follow reason far enough it always leads to conclusions that are contrary to...

If you follow reason far enough it always leads to conclusions that are contrary to...

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....

If life must not be taken too seriously, then so neither must death.

If life must not be taken too seriously, then so neither must death.

Youth is like spring, an overpraised season

Youth is like spring, an overpraised season

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...

The man who takes time to explain his mistakes has little time left for anything...

The man who takes time to explain his mistakes has little time left for anything...

A friend who cannot at a pinch remember a thing or two that never happened...

A friend who cannot at a pinch remember a thing or two that never happened...

Our minds want clothes as much as our bodies.

Our minds want clothes as much as our bodies.

A man should be just cultured enough to be able to look with suspicion upon...

A man should be just cultured enough to be able to look with suspicion upon...