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Quotes about animals

95 quotes from 72 people

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Man [has] always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much-the wheel, New York, wars and so on-while all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man-for precisely the same reason.
Douglas Adams1952–2001
My absolute favourite piece of information is the fact that young sloths are so inept that they frequently grab their own arms and legs instead of tree limbs, and fall out of trees.
Douglas Adams1952–2001The Salmon of Doubt (2002)
- Comedy
I’m not an animal lover if that means you think things are nice if you can pet them, but I am intoxicated by animals.
David Attenboroughborn 1926Interview in Metro 29 Jan 2013
There are some four million different kinds of animals and plants in the world. Four million different solutions to the problems of staying alive. This is the story of how a few of them came to be as they are.
David Attenboroughborn 1926Life on Earth (1979), Opening narration
- Nature
Do you know why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories.
J. M. Barrie1860–1937Peter Pan (1904), Act I
Sharks are hardy creatures, but they do not thrive on public transportation.
Dave Barryborn 1947I’ll Mature When I’m Dead (2010), p. 83
- Comedy
The day may come when the rest of the animal creation may acquire those rights which never could have been withholden from them but by the hand of tyranny.
Jeremy Bentham1748–1832An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789; 1823), Ch. 17: Of the Limits of the Penal Branch of Jurisprudence
- Justice
The question is not Can they reason?, nor Can they talk?, but Can they suffer?
Jeremy Bentham1748–1832An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789; 1823), Ch. 17: Of the Limits of the Penal Branch of Jurisprudence
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
The Bible (King James Version)Proverbs 12:10 (KJV)In context
- Good & Evil
Pig, n. An animal (Porcus omnivorus) closely allied to the human race by the splendor and vivacity of its appetite, which, however, is inferior in scope, for it sticks at pig.
Ambrose Bierce1842–1914The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
Circus, n. A place where horses, ponies and elephants are permitted to see men, women and children acting the fool.
Ambrose Bierce1842–1914The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)
- Comedy
A robin redbreast in a cage
Puts all Heaven in a rage.
William Blake1757–1827Auguries of Innocence (1803), Line 5In context
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
William Blake1757–1827The Tyger (1794)In context
- God
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
William Blake1757–1827The Lamb (1789)In context
- God
Rats!
They fought the dogs and killed the cats,
And bit the babies in the cradles,
And ate the cheeses out of the vats.
And licked the soup from the cook’s own ladles,
Split open the kegs of salted sprats,
Made nests inside men’s Sunday hats,
And even spoiled the women’s chats,
By drowning their speaking
With shrieking and squeaking
In fifty different sharps and flats.
Robert Browning1812–1889The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1842)In context