Samuel Butler

The dead should be judged like criminals, impartially, but they should be allowed the benefit of the doubt.

For most men, and most circumstances, pleasure –tangible material prosperity in this world -is the safest test of virtue. Progress has ever been through the pleasures rather than through the extreme sharp virtues, and the most virtuous have leaned to excess rather than to asceticism.

We are not won by arguments that we can analyze, but by tone and temper; by the manner, which is the man himself.

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

A hen is only a egg’s way of making another egg.

Logic is like the sword – those who appeal to it, shall perish by it.

Friendship increases in visiting friends, but in visiting them seldom.

A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us.

We have not lost faith, but we have transferred it from God to the medical profession.

If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap, than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.

Usually the modest person passes for someone reserved, the silent for a sullen person

Do not undervalue the headache. While it is at its sharpest it seems a bad investment; but when relief begins, the unexpired remainder is worth $4 a minute.

The reason that fiction is more interesting than any other form of literature, to those who really like to study people, is that in fiction the author can really tell the truth without humiliating himself.

Everything in Nature contains all the powers of Nature. Everything is made of one hidden stuff.

There is nothing you can say in answer to a compliment. I have been complimented myself a great many times, and they always embarrass me-I always feel that they have not said enough.

The superiority of some men is merely local. They are great because their associates are little.

Youth is unduly busy with pampering the outer person.

A supreme love, a motive that gives a sublime rhythm to a woman’s life, and exalts habit into partnership with the soul’s highest needs, is not to be had where and how she wills.

I wish for you the wisdom to realize that forgiveness has nothing to do with an apology.

People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.

The way to be immortal (I mean not to die at all) is to have me for your heir. I recommend you to put me in your will and you will see that (as long as I live at least) you will never even catch cold.