The only absolute morality is absolute stagnation. Samuel Butler More Quotes by Samuel Butler More Quotes From Samuel Butler If [science] tends to thicken the crust of ice on which, as it were, we are skating, it is all right. If it tries to find, or professes to have found, the solid ground at the bottom of the water it is all wrong. Our business is with the thickening of this crust by extending our knowledge downward from above, as ice gets thicker while the frost lasts; we should not try to freeze upwards from the bottom. Samuel Butler ice science knowledge Men of Science. If they are worthy of the name they are indeed about God's path and about his bed and spying out all his ways. Samuel Butler god men science There is no such source of error as the pursuit of absolute truth. Samuel Butler errors truth science Nature. As the word is now commonly used it excludes nature's most interesting productions-the works of man. Nature is usually taken to mean mountains, rivers, clouds and undomesticated animals and plants. I am not indifferent to this half of nature, but it interests me much less than the other half. Samuel Butler nature taken mean There are two great rules of life; the one general and the other particular. The first is that everyone can, in the end, get what he wants, if he only tries. That is the general rule. The particular rule is that every individual is, more or less, an exception to the rule. Samuel Butler exception-to-the-rule trying two Whatsoever we perpetrate, we do but row; we are steered by fate. Samuel Butler fate destiny Brigands will demand your money or your life, but a woman will demand both Samuel Butler women-bashing demand maturity I believe that he was really sorry that people would not believe he was sorry that he was not more sorry. Samuel Butler regret sorry believe Business should be like religion and science; it should know neither love nor hate. Samuel Butler hate should science When people talk of atoms obeying fixed laws, they are either ascribing some kind of intelligence and free will to atoms or they are talking nonsense. There is no obedience unless there is at any rate a potentiality of disobeying. Samuel Butler law talking science It is death, and not what comes after death, that men are generally afraid of. Samuel Butler atheism fear men This world is like Noah's Ark. Samuel Butler atheism fear men Arguments are like fire-arms which a man may keep at home but should not carry about with him. Samuel Butler fire home men Man, unlike the animals, has never learned that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it. Samuel Butler nature animal men All philosophies, if you ride them home, are nonsense, but some are greater nonsense than others. Samuel Butler philosophical home philosophy Be virtuous and you will be vicious. Samuel Butler vicious virtuous The truest characters of ignorance are vanity and pride and arrogance. Samuel Butler pride ignorance character Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance. Samuel Butler inspirational moving religion Sensible people get the greater part of their own dying done during their own lifetime Samuel Butler dying done people It is not he who gains the exact point in dispute who scores most in controversy - but he who has shown the better temper. Samuel Butler debate gains anger
