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

When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber.

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.

Animals are good to think with.

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

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.

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

Imitate the ass in his love to his master.

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

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.

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.

Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes and pompous in the grave.

Man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all.