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.

Life is no way to treat an animal.

We call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words.

An ape will be an ape, though clad in purple.

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.

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.

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.

Animals are good to think with.

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

Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.

The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

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?

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