Samuel ButlerThinkers

Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.

Belief is like any other moving body, such that it follows the path of least resistance.

The Body is but a pair of pincers set over a bellows and a stew pan and the whole fixed upon stilts.

The Book should be tried by a judge and jury as though it were a crime.

The Book is a thing whereby even the oldest are only just out to those who have not read them.

Cleanliness is almost as bad as Godliness.

Creativity is so delicate a flower that praise tends to make it bloom, while discouragement often nips it in the bud.

Fear is static that prevents us from hearing ourselves.

Jargon is sometimes important. The Ancient Mariner would not have taken so well if it had been called The Old Sailor.

Justice is to be allowed to do whatever one likes and injustice is whatever prevents one from doing so.

Lying is an unintended respect paid to the person one lies to in that it acts as a tacit acknowledgement of that person's superiority over oneself.