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.

Who hears the fishes when they cry?

Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

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.

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.

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?

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

Man is no man, but a wolf, to a stranger.

Alas! We are ridiculous animals.

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

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

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.

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.