Samuel Butler Quotes

Have always been at daggers-drawing,
And one another clapper-clawing.

Beside, 't is known he could speak Greek
As naturally as pigs squeak;
That Latin was no more difficile
Than to a blackbird 't is to whistle.

Who thought he 'd won
The field as certain as a gun.

For Rhime the Rudder is of Verses, With which like Ships they steer their courses.

Nor do I know what is become
Of him, more than the Pope of Rome.

With books and money plac'd for show
Like nest-eggs to make clients lay,
And for his false opinion pay.

There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have enough to live upon.

But Hudibras gave him a twitch
As quick as lightning in the breech,
Just in the place where honour's lodg'd,
As wise philosophers have judg'd;
Because a kick in that part more
Hurts honour than deep wounds before.

While the honour thou hast got
Is spick and span new.

When pious frauds and holy shifts
Are dispensations and gifts.

As the ancients
Say wisely, have a care o' th' main chance,
And look before you ere you leap;
For as you sow, ye are like to reap.

'Cause grace and virtue are within
Prohibited degrees of kin;
And therefore no true saint allows
They shall be suffer'd to espouse.

Love is a boy by poets styl'd;
Then spare the rod and spoil the child.

Cheer'd up himself with ends of verse
And sayings of philosophers.

For those that run away and fly,
Take place at least o' the enemy.