Samuel Butler

If life must not be taken too seriously, then so neither must death.

He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still.

Every man’s work, whether it be literature, or music or pictures or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of himself.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

It is not he who gains the exact point in dispute who scores most in controversy – but he who has shown the better temper.

Life is not an exact science, it is an art.

Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.

My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher.

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

By taking a second wife he pays the highest compliment to the first, by showing that she made him so happy as a married man, that he wishes to be so a second time.

If you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, you’ll never end up with a nag.

I am a black American male from Chicago, who had my rehearsal dinner at Versailles and then got married in Florence with a view of the entire city.

Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on the same side.

There’s a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It’s called marriage.

My last divorce was in ’68. What made it come to a head was a promise. See, I had promised her that the next year I wouldn’t work as much. But then I got in trouble with the IRS, and I had to continue working just as much to pay the government. So she said I lied, which is something I never did.

It is a woman’s business to get married as soon as possible, and a man’s to keep unmarried as long as he can.

Both marriage and death ought to be welcome: The one promises happiness, doubtless the other assures it.

Marriage is the best state for man in general, and every man is a worst man in proportion to the level he is unfit for marriage.

Obviously I couldn’t have done anything that I’ve done without Michelle… not only has she been a great first lady, she is just my rock. I count on her in so many ways every single day.

It is not from reason and prudence that people marry, but from inclination.

Michelle’s like Beyoncé in that song ‘Let me upgrade ya!’ She upgraded me.