I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the "lower animals"
(so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of
man. I find the result humiliating to me.
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace." - Milan Kundera (b. 1929) Czech author
Such a learned distinguished man. Have a fabulous Friday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Thank you so much for calling to our attention that it is the great man's birthday. Happy Birthday Samuel! We make no excuses for quoting in full his wonderful observations about science (from Life on the Mississippi').
ReplyDelete"In the space of one hundred and seventy-six years the Lower Mississippi has shortened itself two hundred and forty-two miles. That is an average of a trifle over one mile and a third per year. Therefore, any calm person, who is not blind or idiotic, can see that in the Old Oolitic Silurian Period, just a million years ago next November, the Lower Mississippi River was upwards of one million three hundred thousand miles long, and stuck out over the Gulf of Mexico like a fishing-rod. And by the same token any person can see that seven hundred and forty-two years from now the Lower Mississippi will be only a mile and three-quarters long, and Cairo and New Orleans will have joined their streets together, and be plodding comfortably along under a single mayor and a mutual board of aldermen. There is something fascinating about science. One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of such a trifling investment of fact."
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
What a great quote, we need to read that book again
Deleteurban hounds
We are going to have to read that book. Have a great Friday xx00xx
ReplyDeleteMollie and Alfie
Thanks for letting us know this, our favourite Mark Twain quote is on our blog header, it sums up how we think so well :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to great Mark Twain! The photo of him and little kitty is so adorable :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Mark Twain, anyone who loves animals is okay with us!
ReplyDeleteDip Bridge and Elliot x
Great post!
ReplyDeleteWell Happy Birthday Mark Twain!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Mark Twain! I love that first pic! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Mark Twain!
ReplyDeleteHi Urban Hounds,
ReplyDeleteWe would like to get your address so we can send a Christmas card to you. can you email us pugranch2 at msn dot com
hugs
Bailey, Hazel & Greta
Adding that to our to read list.
ReplyDeleteEmma