Half the vices which the world condemns most loudly have seeds of good in them and require moderated use rather than total abstinence. – Samuel Butler
Every one should keep a mental wastepaper basket and the older he grows the more things he will consign to it — torn up to irrecoverable tatters. – Samuel Butler
The Ancient Mariner would not have taken so well if it had been called The Old Sailor. – Samuel Butler
The thief. Once committed beyond a certain point he should not worry himself too much about not being a thief any more. Thieving is Gods message to him. Let him try and be a good thief. – Samuel Butler
The world can doubtless never be well known by theory: practice is absolutely necessary; but surely it is of great use to a young man, before he sets out for that country, full of mazes, windings, and turnings, to have at least a general map of it, made by some experienced traveler. – Lord Chesterfield