The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

The fox knows lots of tricks, the hedgehog only one—but it’s a winner.

Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise.

How like to us is that filthy beast the ape.

Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.

Who hears the fishes when they cry?

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.

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

Alas! We are ridiculous animals.

Who sleepeth with dogs shall rise with fleas.

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

Animals have these advantages over man: they never hear the clock strike, they die without any idea of death, they have no theologians to instruct them, their last moments are not disturbed by unwelcome and unpleasant ceremonies, their funerals cost them nothing, and no one starts lawsuits over their wills.