It is hard to say whether the doctors of law or divinity have made the greater advances in the lucrative business of mystery. Edmund Burke on religion
Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference, which is, at least, half infidelity. Edmund Burke on religion
If you live to the age of a hundred, you have it made because very very few people die past the age of a hundred. George Burns on age
I'm at that age now where just putting my cigar in its holder is a thrill. George Burns on age
If we take science as our sole guide, if we accept and hold fast that alone which is verifiable, the old theology must go. John Burroughs on science
There is always a heavy demand for fresh mediocrity. In every generation the least cultivated taste has the largest appetite. Thomas B. Aldrich on average
Misery assails riches, as lightning does the highest towers; or as a tree that is heavy laden with fruit breaks its own boughs, so riches destroy the virtue of their possessor. Richard E. Burton on misery
Like dogs in a wheel, birds in a cage, or squirrels in a chain, ambitious men still climb and climb, with great labor, and incessant anxiety, but never reach the top. Robert Burton on ambition
Worldly wealth is the Devil's bait; and those whose minds feed upon riches recede, in general, from real happiness, in proportion as their stores increase, as the moon, when she is fullest, is farthest from the sun. Robert Burton on wealth
Don't smother each other. No one can grow in the shade. Leo Buscaglia on inspiration
Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. Leo Buscaglia on inspiration
Though analogy is often misleading, it is the least misleading thing we have. Samuel Butler on analysis
All animals but men know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it -and they do enjoy it as much as man and other circumstances will allow it. Samuel Butler on animals
There is no bore like a clever bore. Samuel Butler on bore
All progress is based upon the universal innate desire on the part of every organism to live beyond its income. Samuel Butler on change
God cannot alter the past, that is why he is obliged to connive at the existence of historians. Samuel Butler on history
I do not mind lying, but I hate inaccuracy. Samuel Butler on honesty
The best liar is he who makes the smallest amount of lying go the longest way. Samuel Butler on honesty
Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to know how to lie well. Samuel Butler on honesty
Life is a quarry, out of which we are to mold and chisel and complete a character. Samuel Butler on life