Samuel Butler quotes | Thousands Of Quotes

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There is nothing so unthinkable as thought, unless it be the entire absence of thought.

Samuel Butler

Thought

Absence

Nothing

There is nothing which at once affects a man so much and so little as his own death.

There is such a thing as doing good that evil may come.

Samuel Butler

Evil

May

They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription. I say, 'Can he name a kitten?'

The Athanasian Creed is to me light and intelligible reading in comparison with much that now passes for science.

Lying has a kind of respect and reverence with it. We pay a person the compliment of acknowledging his superiority whenever we lie to him.

God as now generally conceived of is only the last witch.

Samuel Butler

God

Now

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

Samuel Butler

God

Work

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.

Samuel Butler

Opinion

Will

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

Samuel Butler

Life

Dew

Be virtuous and you will be vicious.

Samuel Butler

Will

For truth is precious and divine, too rich a pearl for carnal swine.

Samuel Butler

Truth

Swine

Man is God's highest present development. He is the latest thing in God.