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

Mr. Tennyson has said that more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams...

Mr. Tennyson has said that more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams...

The healthy stomach is nothing if it is not conservative. Few radicals have good digestions.

The healthy stomach is nothing if it is not conservative. Few radicals have good digestions.

To be at all is to be religious more or less

To be at all is to be religious more or less

From a worldly point of view, there is no mistake so great as that of...

From a worldly point of view, there is no mistake so great as that of...

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...

People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.

People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.

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...

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.

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...

Human life is as evanescent as the morning dew or a flash of lightning.

Human life is as evanescent as the morning dew or a flash of lightning.

I reckon being ill as one of the great pleasures of life, provided one is...

I reckon being ill as one of the great pleasures of life, provided one is...

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 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...

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...

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 no true gracefulness which is not epitomized goodness.

There is no true gracefulness which is not epitomized goodness.

It is not he who gains the exact point in dispute who scores most in...

It is not he who gains the exact point in dispute who scores most in...

God and the Devil are an effort after specialization and the division of labor.

God and the Devil are an effort after specialization and the division of labor.

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...

Vaccination is the medical sacrament corresponding to baptism. Whether it is or is not more...

Vaccination is the medical sacrament corresponding to baptism. Whether it is or is not more...