Alas! We are ridiculous animals.

Cows are among the gentlest of breathing creatures; none show more passionate tenderness to their young when deprived of them—and, in short, I am not ashamed to profess a deep love for these quiet creatures.

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

Be a good animal, true to your animal instincts.

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

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.

What delight can there be, and not rather displeasure, in hearing the barking and howling of dogs? Or what greater pleasure is there to be felt when a dog followeth a hare than when a dog followeth a dog?

Of all the creatures that breathe and creep on the surface of the earth, none is more to be pitied than man.

A good dog, sir, deserves a good bone.

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

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.

Life is no way to treat an animal.

Imitate the ass in his love to his master.