The fox knows lots of tricks, the hedgehog only one—but it’s a winner.

Men, my dear, are very queer animals—a mixture of horse nervousness, ass stubbornness, and camel malice.

Man and animals are really the conduit of food, the sepulcher of animals, and resting place of the dead, one causing the death of the other, making themselves the covering for the corruption of other dead bodies.

If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater, suggest that he wear a tail.

There be beasts that, at a year old, observe more, and pursue that which is for their good more prudently, than a child can do at ten.

Man is a troublesome animal and therefore is not very manageable.

The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

How like to us is that filthy beast the ape.

Every creature in the world is like a book and a picture, to us, and a mirror.

Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.

Imitate the ass in his love to his master.

Animals have these advantages over man: they never hear the clock strike, they die without any idea of death, they have no theologians to instruct them, their last moments are not disturbed by unwelcome and unpleasant ceremonies, their funerals cost them nothing, and no one starts lawsuits over their wills.

There are some who, if a cat accidentally comes into the room, though they neither see it nor are told of it, will presently be in a sweat and ready to die away.