The elephant, although a gross beast, is yet the most decent and most sensible of any other upon earth. Although he never changes his female, and hath so tender a love for her whom he hath chosen, yet he never couples with her but at the end of every three years, and then only for the space of five days.

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.

When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber.

There be beasts that, at a year old, observe more, and pursue that which is for their good more prudently, than a child can do at ten.

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

A dog starved at his master’s gate / Predicts the ruin of the state.

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

Imitate the ass in his love to his master.

Men, my dear, are very queer animals—a mixture of horse nervousness, ass stubbornness, and camel malice.

We call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words.

Who hears the fishes when they cry?

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

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