Born December 4, 1835, Samuel Butler was a collector of sorts. He collected thoughts. During his childhood he began carrying a notebook to write down anything he felt was of great value. Some words coming from others, some from himself.
At the time of his death, hundreds of thoughts, reflections and conversations were found in his studio. Soon after, an editor, Henry Festing Jones, turned the “collection” into a memoir.
I have here for you some of Samuel Butler’s quotes that made it into his now globally famous memoir. Some of these quotes will be familiar to you. I find it fascinating that thoughts from a man who lived nearly 200 years ago still resonate today. I hope you enjoy:
“Most people have never learned that one of the main aims in life is to enjoy it.”
“Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.”
“The truest characters of ignorance are vanity and pride and arrogance.”
“People are always good company when they are doing what they really enjoy.”
“It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
“A hen is only an egg’s way of making another egg.”
“Life is one long process of getting tired.”
“Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.”
“Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat until he eats them.”
“Words are not as satisfactory as we should like them to be, but, like our neighbors, we have got to live with them and must make the best and not the worst of them.”
“All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it.”
I’ll leave you with that one. It’s one of my favorites, and think about it… he’s right!!
#smallsteps
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