When a man is in doubt about this or that in his writing, it will often guide him if he asks himself how it will tell a hundred years hence.

Quote by Samuel Butler

Topics: Samuel Butler Quotes

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

Morality turns on whether the pleasure precedes or follows the pain

In the midst of vice we are in virtue, and vice versa.

In the midst of vice we are in virtue, and vice versa.

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

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

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...

Love is a boy, by poets styled, Then spare the rod, and spoil the child

Love is a boy, by poets styled, Then spare the rod, and spoil the child

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...

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

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

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

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

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

We're all proud of making little mistakes. It gives us the feeling we don't make...

We're all proud of making little mistakes. It gives us the feeling we don't make...

Man is God's highest present development. He is the latest thing in God.

Man is God's highest present development. He is the latest thing in God.

The want of money is the root of all evil.

The want of money is the root of all evil.

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...

In old times people used to try and square the circle; now they try and...

In old times people used to try and square the circle; now they try and...

No mistake is more common and more fatuous than appealing to logic in cases which...

No mistake is more common and more fatuous than appealing to logic in cases which...

Though analogy is often misleading, it is the least misleading thing we have.

Though analogy is often misleading, it is the least misleading thing we have.

Don't learn to do, but learn in doing. Let your falls not be on a...

Don't learn to do, but learn in doing. Let your falls not be on a...

Man is the only animal that laughs and has a state legislature.

Man is the only animal that laughs and has a state legislature.

There is no such source of error as the pursuit of truth.

There is no such source of error as the pursuit of truth.

Think of and look at your work as though it were done by your enemy....

Think of and look at your work as though it were done by your enemy....