It is remarkable that only small birds properly sing.

A bull contents himself with one meadow, and one forest is enough for a thousand elephants; but the little body of a man devours more than all other living creatures.

Cows are among the gentlest of breathing creatures; none show more passionate tenderness to their young when deprived of them—and, in short, I am not ashamed to profess a deep love for these quiet creatures.

Animals are good to think with.

A dog starved at his master’s gate / Predicts the ruin of the state.

Animals are in possession of themselves; their soul is in possession of their body. But they have no right to their life, because they do not will it. 

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.

One of the animals which a generous and sociable man would soonest become is a dog. A dog can have a friend; he has affections and character; he can enjoy equally the field and the fireside; he dreams, he caresses, he propitiates; he offends and is pardoned; he stands by you in adversity; he is a good fellow.

Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals—except the weasel.

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

Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise.

Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat until he eats them.

Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve and from which he cannot escape.