Samuel Butler

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

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

Where entity and quiddity,
The ghosts of defunct bodies, fly.

Where entity and quiddity,
The ghosts of defunct bodies, fly.

If he that in the field is slain
Be in the bed of honour lain,
He that read more

If he that in the field is slain
Be in the bed of honour lain,
He that is beaten may be said
To lie in Honour's truckle-bed.

Learn'd he was in medic'nal lore,
For by his side a pouch he wore,
Replete with strange read more

Learn'd he was in medic'nal lore,
For by his side a pouch he wore,
Replete with strange hermetic powder
That wounds nine miles point-blank would solder.

Your pettifoggers damn their souls,
To share with knaves in cheating fools.

Your pettifoggers damn their souls,
To share with knaves in cheating fools.