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Quote by Samuel Butler

Work

Delphi Complete Works of Samuel Butler (Illustrated)

The Delphi Complete Works of Samuel Butler (Illustrated) is a comprehensive compilation of the literary output of Samuel Butler, a notable figure in 19th-century English literature. The book features his most renowned works, including the novel 'Erewhon,' as well as poetry and other writings. The inclusion of illustrations adds a visual dimension to the text, providing readers with a richer experience of Butler's work. more

Author

Samuel Butler
Samuel Butler

Samuel Butler was an English author and philosopher, renowned for his satirical novel Erewhon and his philosophical writings. Born on December 4, 1835, he was a prominent figure during the Victorian era, influencing both literature and thought. Butler's most celebrated work, Erewhon, was published in 1872. The novel is a satirical commentary on Victorian society and explores the concept of a utopian society. He also authored several philosophical works, including The Way of All Flesh, which was controversial for its criticism of religion and morality. Butler's contributions to literature and philosophy have had a lasting impact. His satirical style and exploration of complex themes have established him as a significant figure in Victorian literature. Despite his controversial views, he remains celebrated for his intellectual contributions. more

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“My daughter squealed again and both Bubba and I winced. It’s not an attractive sound, that. It’s high-pitched and it enters your ear canals like hot glass. No matter how much I love my daughter, I will never love her squealing. Or maybe I will. Maybe I do. Driving down 93, I realized once and for all, that I love the things that chafe. The things that fill me with stress so total I can’t remember when a block of it didn’t rest on top of my heart. I love what, if broken, can’t be repaired. What, if lost can’t be replaced. I love my burdens.”

“If only I had some grease I could fix some kind of a light," Ma considered. "We didn't lack for light when I was a girl before this newfangled kerosene was ever heard of." "That's so," said Pa. "These times are too progressive. Everything has changed too fast. Railroads and telegraph and kerosene and coal stoves--they're good things to have, but the trouble is, folks get to depend on 'em.”

“Humans impart meaning and purpose to almost all aspects of life. This sense of meaning and purpose gives us a road map for how to live a good life. This guidance emerges spontaneously from the interactions of human beings living in societies and thinking together about how best to get along. It doesn't require a god or sacred text.”

“It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside in the social networks that we influenced while we were alive. If we influence people in a positive way -- even if our social web is only as big as our nuclear family -- others will want to emulate us and pass on our ideas, manners, and lifestyle to future generations. This is more than enough motivation for me to do good things in my life and teach my children to do the same.”