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.

How like to us is that filthy beast the ape.

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.

A good dog, sir, deserves a good bone.

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.

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

Alas! We are ridiculous animals.

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

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

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. 

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.

Animals are good to think with.

Who sleepeth with dogs shall rise with fleas.