Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps, for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they ought to be.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Do you not see how God is praised by those in the heavens and those on earth? The very birds praised Him as they wing their way.

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

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

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. 

Keep running after a dog, and he will never bite you.