It is remarkable that only small birds properly sing.

Life is no way to treat an animal.

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.

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.

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?

Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps, for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they ought to be.

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

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

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

Animals are good to think with.

Alas! We are ridiculous animals.

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

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.