115 Quotes By Samuel Butler


Let us eat and drink neither forgetting death unduly nor remembering it. The Lord hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, etc., and the less we think about it the better.
Samuel Butler on death

Mr. Tennyson has said that more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of, but he wisely refrains from saying whether they are good or bad things.
Samuel Butler on dreams

Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.
Samuel Butler on experience

You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it.
Samuel Butler on faith

Faith - you can do very little with it, but you can do nothing without it.
Samuel Butler on faith

What is faith but a kind of betting or speculation after all? It should be, I bet that my Redeemer liveth.
Samuel Butler on faith

The seven deadly sins: Want of money, bad health, bad temper, chastity, family ties, knowing that you know things, and believing in the Christian religion.
Samuel Butler on family

Fear is static that prevents me from hearing myself.
Samuel Butler on fear

Some men love truth so much that they seem to be in continual fear lest she should catch a cold on overexposure.
Samuel Butler on fear

Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat until he eats them.
Samuel Butler on food

Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.
Samuel Butler on friendship

Parents are the last people on earth who ought to have children.
Samuel Butler on funny

God cannot alter the past, though historians can.
Samuel Butler on god

An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.
Samuel Butler on god

Man is God's highest present development. He is the latest thing in God.
Samuel Butler on god

God was satisfied with his own work, and that is fatal.
Samuel Butler on god

Theist and atheist: the fight between them is as to whether God shall be called God or shall have some other name.
Samuel Butler on god

God and the Devil are an effort after specialization and the division of labor.
Samuel Butler on god

Let every man be true and every god a liar.
Samuel Butler on god

And so there is no God but has been in the loins of past gods.
Samuel Butler on god