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

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

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

Our minds want clothes as much as our bodies.

Our minds want clothes as much as our bodies.

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...

People in general are equally horrified at hearing the Christian religion doubted, and seeing it...

People in general are equally horrified at hearing the Christian religion doubted, and seeing it...

The history of art is the history of revivals

The history of art is the history of revivals

Logic is like the sword--those who appeal to it shall perish by it.

Logic is like the sword--those who appeal to it shall perish by it.

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...

The mistakes made by doctors are innumerable. They err habitually on the side of optimism...

The mistakes made by doctors are innumerable. They err habitually on the side of optimism...

Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the...

Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the...

Friendship is like money, more easily made than kept.

Friendship is like money, more easily made than kept.

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...

If there is any moral in Christianity, if there is anything to be learned from...

If there is any moral in Christianity, if there is anything to be learned from...

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

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...

To die is but to leave off dying and do the thing once for all.

To die is but to leave off dying and do the thing once for all.

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...

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...

For most men, and most circumstances, pleasure --tangible material prosperity in this world --is the...

For most men, and most circumstances, pleasure --tangible material prosperity in this world --is the...

When the light has sharply faded And you have lost your way Let another's love...

When the light has sharply faded And you have lost your way Let another's love...

Goodness is love in action, love with its hand to the plow, love with the...

Goodness is love in action, love with its hand to the plow, love with the...

When pleasure interferes with business, give up business.

When pleasure interferes with business, give up business.