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

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

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

Happiness is a warm puppy.

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.

Man is a troublesome animal and therefore is not very manageable.

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

Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals—except the weasel.

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. 

A bull contents himself with one meadow, and one forest is enough for a thousand elephants; but the little body of a man devours more than all other living creatures.

If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater, suggest that he wear a tail.

Man is merely a more perfect animal than the rest. He reasons better.

From the oyster to the eagle, from the pig to the tiger, all animals exist in man, and each one of them is in a man. Sometimes even several of them at a time. Animals are nothing else than the figures of our virtues and our vices, straying before our eyes, the visible phantoms of our souls. God shows them to us in order to induce us to reflect.