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

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.

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.

Imitate the ass in his love to his master.

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

Man is merely a more perfect animal than the rest. He reasons better.

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.

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.

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

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. 

The elephant, although a gross beast, is yet the most decent and most sensible of any other upon earth. Although he never changes his female, and hath so tender a love for her whom he hath chosen, yet he never couples with her but at the end of every three years, and then only for the space of five days.

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