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.

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.

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

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

When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber.

I hate the sight of monkeys; they remind me so of poor relations.

In every man is a wild beast; most of them don’t know how to hold it back, and the majority give it full rein when they are not restrained by terror of law.

It is remarkable that only small birds properly sing.

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.

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

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

Do you not see how God is praised by those in the heavens and those on earth? The very birds praised Him as they wing their way.

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.