“A hen is only an egg’s way of making another egg.” -Samuel Butler
This quotation effectively highlights the reason for a chicken’s existence. It serves as a reminder that all living things are motivated by the need to reproduce in order to maintain their species. It also emphasizes how all life is intertwined and how each organism contributes to the functioning of the broader ecosystem.
“An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.” -Samuel Butler
This quotation serves as a subtle reminder that there are frequently several factors to take into account in every circumstance. It serves as a gentle reminder to refrain from passing judgment and to have an open mind.
“There is nothing which at once affects a man so much and so little as his own death.” -Samuel Butler
For me, this quotation highlights the paradoxical aspect of dying. It is the most profound and important thing that will ever happen to us, on the one hand. On the other hand, since we won’t be around to experience it, we won’t ever do so. This quotation serves as a gentle reminder to appreciate and treat death with some detachment.
“Parents are the last people on earth who ought to have children.” -Samuel Butler
This phrase, in my opinion challenges the idea that having children is an inevitable and natural aspect of life. It recognizes that not everyone is suited for parenting and that raising children is a serious duty that calls for a lot of skill and consideration. It serves as a reminder to take an active and thinking approach to parenting rather than assuming that it will just happen.
“If life must not be taken too seriously, then so neither must death.” -Samuel Butler
I feel like this quote serves as reminder to each of us that life is a transitory experience, and that we should treat it as such.
Additionally, it highlights the idea that dying is a natural part of life and that we shouldn’t be afraid of it or fixated on it. The message of this saying is ultimately to live in the present and to find happiness and purpose in the short amount of time we have.