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

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.

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.

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

Every creature in the world is like a book and a picture, to us, and a mirror.

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.

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

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

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

Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men, but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass.

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

Imitate the ass in his love to his master.

How like to us is that filthy beast the ape.