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

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

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.

Alas! We are ridiculous animals.

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

Who sleepeth with dogs shall rise with fleas.

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

Life is no way to treat an animal.

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, 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 no man, but a wolf, to a stranger.

Imitate the ass in his love to his master.

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.