Samuel Butler

The function of vice is to keep virtue within reasonable bounds.

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

Arguments are like fire-arms which a man may keep at home but should not carry about with him.

It is a wise tune that knows its own father, and I like my music to be the legitimate offspring of respectable parents.

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.

I like not only to be loved, but also to be told that I am loved. I am not sure that you are of the same mind. But the realm of silence is large enough beyond the grave. This is the world of light and speech, and I shall take leave to tell you that you are very dear.

A jay hasnt got any more principle than a Congressman. A jay will lie, a jay will steal, a jay will deceive, a jay will betray; and four times out of five, a jay will go back on his solemnest promise.

A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.

You will find only what you bring in.

Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.

Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring.

Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a dial to the sun, although it be not shined upon.

Higher than the question of our duration is the question of our deserving. Immortality will come to such as are fit for it, and he would be a great soul in future must be a great soul now.

Democracy becomes a government of bullies tempered by editors.

I don’t like needing anyone for anything.

Temperate temperance is best; intemperate temperance injures the cause of temperance.

Excessive literary production is a social offense.

The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he knows too little.

The mould of a man’s fortune is in his own hands.