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

When the water of a place is bad it is safest to drink none that...

When the water of a place is bad it is safest to drink none that...

Christ was only crucified once and for a few hours. Think of the hundreds of...

Christ was only crucified once and for a few hours. Think of the hundreds of...

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...

Nobody shoots at Santa Claus.

Nobody shoots at Santa Claus.

Lying has a kind of respect and reverence with it. We pay a person the...

Lying has a kind of respect and reverence with it. We pay a person the...

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Opinion governs all mankind, like the blind's leading of the blind

Opinion governs all mankind, like the blind's leading of the blind

Every man's work, whether it be literature, or music or pictures or architecture or anything...

Every man's work, whether it be literature, or music or pictures or architecture or anything...

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...

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

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

A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner, but more...

A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner, but more...

The dons of Oxford and Cambridge are too busy educating the young men to be...

The dons of Oxford and Cambridge are too busy educating the young men to be...

Authority intoxicates, And makes mere sots of magistrates; The fumes of it invade the brain,...

Authority intoxicates, And makes mere sots of magistrates; The fumes of it invade the brain,...

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...

It is better to have loved and lost than never to have lost at all.

It is better to have loved and lost than never to have lost at all.

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

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

Life is not an exact science, it is an art.

Life is not an exact science, it is an art.

When you have told anyone you have left him a legacy, the only decent thing...

When you have told anyone you have left him a legacy, the only decent thing...

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...

The sinews of art and literature, like those of war, are money.

The sinews of art and literature, like those of war, are money.