Samuel Butler quotes

A blind man knows he cannot see, and is glad to be led, though it be by a dog; but he that is blind in his understanding, which is the worst blindness of all, believes he sees as the best, and scorns a guide.

A friend who cannot at a pinch remember a thing or two that never happened is as bad as one who does not know how to forget.

A genius can never expect to have a good time anywhere, if he is a genuine article, but America is about the last place in which life will be endurable at all for an inspired writer of any kind.

A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg.

A man should be just cultured enough to be able to look with suspicion upon culture at first, not second hand.

A man's friendships are, like his will, invalidated by marriage - but they are also no less invalidated by the marriage of his friends.

A skilful leech is better far, than half a hundred men of war.

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

All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it.

All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it.

All philosophies, if you ride them home, are nonsense, but some are greater nonsense than others.

All progress is based upon a universal innate desire on the part of every organism to live beyond its income.

All truth is not to be told at all times.

An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.

Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to know how to lie well.