“No philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses.”

What is an atheist, but one who does not, or will not, see in the universe a ruling principle of love; and what a misanthrope, but one who does not, or will not, see in man a ruling principle of kindness?

An utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward.

It is not down in any map; true places never are.

Think not, is my eleventh commandment; and sleep when you can, is my twelfth.

For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land, so in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti, full of peace and joy, but encompassed by all the horrors of the half known life.

Ignorance is the parent of fear.

He who has never failed somewhere, that man can not be great.

Aid my disillusionment, my friend!

I do not think I have any uncharitable prejudice against the rattlesnake, still, I should not like to be one.

What plays the mischief with the truth is that men will insist upon the universal application of a temporary feeling or opinion.

Silence is the only Voice of our God.

Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.

We cannot live for ourselves alone.

Genius, all over the world, stands hand in hand, and one shock of recognition runs the whole circle round.

Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only truth.

I cherish the greatest respect towards everybody’s religious obligations, no matter how comical.

All the animals, the plants, the minerals, even other kinds of men, are being broken and reassembled every day, to preserve an elite few, who are the loudest to theorize on freedom, but the least free of all.

There is not in the universe a more ridiculous, nor a more contemptible animal, than a proud clergyman.

What is the Law of the Jungle? Strike first and then give tongue.

We are the storytelling animal.

My great forte in killing buffaloes was to get them circling by riding my horse at the head of the herd and shooting their leaders. Thus the brutes behind were crowded to the left, so that they were soon going round and round.

Thirst teaches all animals to drink, but drunkenness belongs only to man.

Be more than man, or thou’rt less than an ant.

I can say with sincerity that I like cats. A cat is an animal which has more human feelings than almost any other.