They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription. I say, 'Can he name a kitten?'

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.

Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to...

Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to...

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...

One of the first businesses of a sensible man is to know when he is...

One of the first businesses of a sensible man is to know when he is...

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...

Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.

Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.

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

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

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...

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.

There is no true gracefulness which is not epitomized goodness.

There is no true gracefulness which is not epitomized goodness.

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both

Spontaneity is only a term for man's ignorance of the gods

Spontaneity is only a term for man's ignorance of the gods

The history of the world is the record of the weakness, frailty and death of...

The history of the world is the record of the weakness, frailty and death of...

If I die prematurely I shall be saved from being bored to death at my...

If I die prematurely I shall be saved from being bored to death at my...

Oaths are but words, and words are but wind.

Oaths are but words, and words are but wind.

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...

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...

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...

Life's the greates torture sould feel in hell, In hell: that they must live, and...

Life's the greates torture sould feel in hell, In hell: that they must live, and...

Death may indeed be final but the love we share while living is eternal.

Death may indeed be final but the love we share while living is eternal.