Samuel Butler Quotes

He who rules by moral force is like the pole star, which remains
in place while all the lesser read more

He who rules by moral force is like the pole star, which remains
in place while all the lesser stars do homage to it.

The trenchant blade Toledo trusty.
For want of fighting was grown rusty,
And ate into itself for read more

The trenchant blade Toledo trusty.
For want of fighting was grown rusty,
And ate into itself for lack
Of somebody to hew and hack.

Still amorous, and fond, and billing,
Like Philip and Mary, on a shilling.

Still amorous, and fond, and billing,
Like Philip and Mary, on a shilling.

Honor is like a widow, won
With brisk attempt and putting on.

Honor is like a widow, won
With brisk attempt and putting on.

'Tis not antiquity, nor author,
That makes truth truth, altho' time's daughter.

'Tis not antiquity, nor author,
That makes truth truth, altho' time's daughter.

Like men condemned to thunderbolts,
Who, ere the blow, become mere dolts.

Like men condemned to thunderbolts,
Who, ere the blow, become mere dolts.

He that will win his dame must do
As love does when he draws his bow;
With read more

He that will win his dame must do
As love does when he draws his bow;
With one hand thrust the lady from,
And with the other pull her home.

What makes all doctrines plain and clear?--
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was read more

What makes all doctrines plain and clear?--
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was prov'd true before
Prove false again? Two hundred more.

It has been said that although God cannot alter the past, historians can --it is perhaps because they can be read more

It has been said that although God cannot alter the past, historians can --it is perhaps because they can be useful to Him in this respect that He tolerates their existence.

Authority intoxicates,
And makes mere sots of magistrates;
The fumes of it invade the brain,
read more

Authority intoxicates,
And makes mere sots of magistrates;
The fumes of it invade the brain,
And make men giddy, proud, and vain.