When collapse is imminent, the little rodents flee.

We listen with deep interest to what we hear, for to man novelty is ever charming.

The great business of man is to improve his mind, and govern his manners; all other projects and pursuits, whether in our power to compass or not, are only amusements.

Men are most apt to believe what they least understand; and through the lust of human wit obscure things are more easily credited.

Example is the softest and least invidious way of commanding.

When a building is about to fall down, all the mice desert it.

The largest land animal is the elephant, and it is the nearest to man in intelligence: it understands the language of its country and obeys orders, remembers duties that it has been taught, is pleased by affection and by marks of honour, nay more it possesses virtues rare even in man, honesty, wisdom, justice, also respect for the stars and reverence for the sun and moon.