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.

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

Life is no way to treat an animal.

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.

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.

Man is a troublesome animal and therefore is not very manageable.

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

Every ass thinks himself worthy to stand with the king’s horses.

Animals have these advantages over man: they never hear the clock strike, they die without any idea of death, they have no theologians to instruct them, their last moments are not disturbed by unwelcome and unpleasant ceremonies, their funerals cost them nothing, and no one starts lawsuits over their wills.

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

A dog starved at his master’s gate / Predicts the ruin of the state.

Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

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