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

Faith - you can do very little with it, but you can do nothing without...

Faith - you can do very little with it, but you can do nothing without...

Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a...

Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a...

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.

An open mind is all very well in its way, but it ought not to...

An open mind is all very well in its way, but it ought not to...

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...

To himself everyone is immortal; he may know that he is going to die, but...

To himself everyone is immortal; he may know that he is going to die, but...

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

It is our less conscious thoughts and our less conscious actions which mainly mould our...

It is our less conscious thoughts and our less conscious actions which mainly mould our...

Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.

Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.

Youth is like spring, an overpraised season

Youth is like spring, an overpraised season

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...

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both.

Brigands demand your money or your life; women require both.

One should judge by appearance only: what is hidden should remain so

One should judge by appearance only: what is hidden should remain so

The Athanasian Creed is to me light and intelligible reading in comparison with much that...

The Athanasian Creed is to me light and intelligible reading in comparison with much that...

If we attend continually and promptly to the little that we can do, we shall...

If we attend continually and promptly to the little that we can do, we shall...

Happiness and misery depend not on how high up or low down you are -...

Happiness and misery depend not on how high up or low down you are -...

It is seldom very hard to do one's duty when one knows what it is,...

It is seldom very hard to do one's duty when one knows what it is,...

In law, nothing is certain but the expense.

In law, nothing is certain but the expense.

There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have...

There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have...

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...