quotes from classic

There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have enough to live upon.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

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

more quotes from Samuel Butler

If the headache would only precede the intoxication, alcoholism would be a virtue.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but a little want of knowledge is also a dangerous thing.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

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

more quotes from Samuel Butler

I never knew a writer yet who took the smallest pains with his style and was at the same time readable.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

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

more quotes from Samuel Butler

Evil is like water, it abounds, is cheap, soon fouls, but runs itself clear of taint.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

A physician's physiology has much the same relation to his power of healing as a cleric's divinity has to his power of influencing conduct.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

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

more quotes from Samuel Butler

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

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

more quotes from Samuel Butler

The worst thing that can happen to a man is to lose his money, the next worst his health, the next worst his reputation.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

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

more quotes from Samuel Butler

Think of and look at your work as though it were done by your enemy. I you look at it to admire it, you are lost.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

For truth is precious and divine, too rich a pearl for carnal swine.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

All truth is not to be told at all times.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

The history of the world is the record of the weakness, frailty and death of public opinion.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

People are lucky and unlucky not according to what they get absolutely, but according to the ratio between what they get and what they have been led to expect.

more quotes from Samuel Butler

The man who lets himself be bored is even more contemptible than the bore.

more quotes from Samuel Butler