It is remarkable that only small birds properly sing.

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?

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 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.

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.

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

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.

Happiness is a warm puppy.

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

Life is no way to treat an animal.

A good dog, sir, deserves a good bone.

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

Animals are good to think with.