Samuel Butler

Everyone should keep a mental wastepaper basket, and the older he grows, the more things will he promptly consign to read more

Everyone should keep a mental wastepaper basket, and the older he grows, the more things will he promptly consign to it.

As quick as lightning, in the breach
Just in the place where honour's lodged,
As wise philosophers read more

As quick as lightning, in the breach
Just in the place where honour's lodged,
As wise philosophers have judged,
Because a kick in that place more
Hurts honour than deep wounds before.

For zeal's a dreadful termagant,
That teaches saints to tear and cant.

For zeal's a dreadful termagant,
That teaches saints to tear and cant.

Some have been beaten till they know
What wood a cudgel's of by th' blow:
Some kick'd read more

Some have been beaten till they know
What wood a cudgel's of by th' blow:
Some kick'd until they can feel whether
A shoe be Spanish or neat's leather.

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

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