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Samuel Butler Quotes


God was satisfied with his own work, and that is fatal.

Half the vices which the world condemns most loudly have seeds of good in them and require moderate use rather than total abstinence.

He has spent his life best who has enjoyed it most. God will take care that we do not enjoy it any more than is good for us.

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

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

I do not mind lying, but I hate inaccuracy.

I never knew a writer yet who took the smallest pains with his style and was at the same time readable.

I really do not see much use in exalting the humble and meek; they do not remain humble and meek long when they are exalted.

If God wants us to do a thing, he should make his wishes sufficiently clear. Sensible people will wait till he has done this before paying much attention to him.

If I die prematurely I shall be saved from being bored to death at my own success.

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

If people would dare to speak to one another unreservedly, there would be a good deal less sorrow in the world a hundred years hence.

If the headache would only precede the intoxication, alcoholism would be a virtue.

If we attend continually and promptly to the little that we can do, we shall ere long be surprised to find how little remains that we cannot do.

If you follow reason far enough it always leads to conclusions that are contrary to reason.

In law, nothing is certain but the expense.

In old times people used to try and square the circle; now they try and devise schemes for satisfying the Irish nation.

In the midst of vice we are in virtue, and vice versa.

Is life worth living? This is a question for an embryo not for a man.

It has been said that the love of money is the root of all evil. The want of money is so quite as truly.