He that is valiant and dares fight, though drubbed, can lose no honor by ‘t.
Samuel Butler (1612-1680) English poet, satirist, painter, philosopher [Hudibras Butler]
“Hudibras,” Part 1, canto 3
(Source)
Quotations by:
Butler, Samuel “Hudibras”
Authority intoxicates,
And makes mere sots of magistrates;
The fumes of it invade the brain,
And make men giddy, proud, and vain.Samuel Butler (1612-1680) English poet, satirist, painter, philosopher [Hudibras Butler]
“Miscellaneous Thoughts,” l. 283
All wise Princes have ever usd to instill into their People, a Contempt, and Hatred of Forraine Nations, to render them the more united among themselves.
Samuel Butler (1612-1680) English poet, satirist, painter, philosopher [Hudibras Butler]
“Princes and Government,” Note-Books
Full text.
THE OBSTINATE MAN does not hold Opinions, but they hold him; for when he is once possessed with an Error, ’tis, like the Devil, not to be cast out but with great Difficulty.
Samuel Butler (1612-1680) English poet, satirist, painter, philosopher [Hudibras Butler]
“The Obstinate Man”
Full text.
Such as do build their faith upon
The holy text of pike and gun …
And prove their doctrine orthodox
By apostolic blows and knocks.Samuel Butler (1612-1680) English poet, satirist, painter, philosopher [Hudibras Butler]
Hudibras, Part i. Canto i. Line 199 (1662; 1663; 1678)
He that complies against his Will
Is of his own opinion still.Samuel Butler (1612-1680) English poet, satirist, painter, philosopher [Hudibras Butler]
Hudibras, Part III, canto 3, l. 547 (1662; 1663; 1678)
The first undertakers in all great attempts commonly miscarry, and leave the advantages of their losses to those that came after them.
Samuel Butler (1612-1680) English poet, satirist, painter, philosopher [Hudibras Butler]
Prose Observations (1660-80)
There is nothing in the world that breeds Atheism like Hypocrisy.
Samuel Butler (1612-1680) English poet, satirist, painter, philosopher [Hudibras Butler]
Prose Observations, “Religion” (1660-1680) (ed. H de Quehen (1979))