Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men, but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass.

The elephant, although a gross beast, is yet the most decent and most sensible of any other upon earth. Although he never changes his female, and hath so tender a love for her whom he hath chosen, yet he never couples with her but at the end of every three years, and then only for the space of five days.

Man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all. 

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

Of all the creatures that breathe and creep on the surface of the earth, none is more to be pitied than man.

I do not mean to call an elephant a vulgar animal, but if you think about him carefully, you will find that his nonvulgarity consists in such gentleness as is possible to elephantine nature—not in his insensitive hide, nor in his clumsy foot, but in the way he will lift his foot if a child lies in his way; and in his sensitive trunk, and still more sensitive mind, and capability of pique on points of honor.

Man is merely a more perfect animal than the rest. He reasons better.

Every ass thinks himself worthy to stand with the king’s horses.

What delight can there be, and not rather displeasure, in hearing the barking and howling of dogs? Or what greater pleasure is there to be felt when a dog followeth a hare than when a dog followeth a dog?

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

Imitate the ass in his love to his master.

How like to us is that filthy beast the ape.

Who sleepeth with dogs shall rise with fleas.