Famous Cat Quotes

| Print | By | August 22, 2008 11:31 AM

The mystique and grace of the domestic cat has been the subject of many artistic expressions throughout history. Inspiring great writers Lewis Carroll’s "Alice in Wonderland" may have one of the most popular examples of a dominant cat interwoven in its story. The Cheshire cat, grinning while perched in a tree, disappears, fading away while at the same time, communicating with Alice.

So what is it about the cat, which inspires famous people to write about them? Is it that the cat is endowed with the same fascinating nature with which women are known, or is it that they are charming creatures with an excellent sense of humor? Is it that most people feel that they cannot be tamed and that they are aloof creatures, which are frequently misunderstood? On the other hand, is it that in many circles they are seen as manipulating animals that have their own best interest at heart?

hubblepuppy (2).jpg
My two Oriental Shorthairs, Hubble and Hush Puppy.

From my experience living with cats for over 40 years, I believe it is because cats are amazing creatures, which possess a high degree of intelligence and an enchanting personality. I could not even consider not being owned by a couple of feisty and faithful felines.

Let us see what reasons for the cats' popularity some famous people have stated.

"I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through." Jules Verne

"The city of cats and the city of men exist one inside the other, but they are not the same city." Italo Calvino

"A dog, I have always said, is prose; a cat is a poem." -Jean Burden

"God made the cat in order that humankind might have the pleasure of caressing the tiger." Fernand Mery

"When I play with my cat, who knows if I am not a pastime to her more than she is to me?" Michel de Montaigne

"The cat has too much spirit to have no heart." Ernest Menaul

"As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat." Ellen Perry Berkeley

"One reason we admire cats is for their proficiency in one-upmanship. They always seem to come out on top, no matter what they are doing, or pretend they do." Barbara Webster

"Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat." Mark Twain

"No matter how much cats fight, there always seems to be plenty of kittens." Abraham Lincoln

"I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat" Edgar Allan Poe.

"What greater gift than the love of a cat" Charles Dickens.

"A cat has absolute honesty" Ernest Hemingway.

"Cats are mysterious kind of folk; there is more passing in their minds than we are aware of"- Sir Walter Scott.

"The smallest feline is a masterpiece" Leonardo da Vinci.

"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior" Hippolyte Taine.

"The cat is above all things, a dramatist." Margaret Benson

"Cats as a class have never completely got over the snootiness caused by that fact that in Ancient Egypt they were worshiped as gods." P.G. Wodehouse

"Ignorant people think it is the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it is the sickening grammar that they use." - Mark Twain

"Who among us hasn't envied a cat's ability to ignore the cares of daily life and to relax completely?" Karen Brademeyer

"Before a cat will condescend
To treat you as a trusted friend,
Some little token of esteem
Is needed, like a dish of cream." T.S. Eliot

And my all-time favorite: "If purring could be encapsulated, it'd be the most powerful anti-depressant on the pharmaceutical market." Alexis F. Hope

After reading these wonderful statements, has your opinion of the cat been enhanced? Leave a comment and let us know!

RELATED TOPICS:



« Previous
Next »

Comments (7)

Donna August 23, 2008 9:22 AM

Loved the entry Jo...especially your all time favorite...now if I could just bottle "purring" then sell it at the pharmacy, we'd all be rich! :-)

Donna

Vicki August 23, 2008 10:04 AM

I love to play with our cat Tigger. It is amazing to watch him be so happy and entertaining reaching out for the toy I have in my hand toying him with. Then, we settle down and just have quiet time. I love to hear him purring, knowing he is happy to be near me.

Kathy Kvarda August 23, 2008 10:09 AM

I have had cats as pets since I was 21. (that's 42 years!!) Each one had its own style and personality and charmed me in its own way. Right now, I have an 18 1/2 year old siamese who has old age kidney failure. We had kind of a rough week and, for a time, I thought she might be getting ready to say good-bye. I was wrong. She got rid of a hair ball, perked right up, and is, as I write, informing me very loudly that she is ready for breakfast. She is clearly not yet ready to even think about the Rainbow Bridge...What a wonderful animal!!!

Kathy

Skylark August 23, 2008 10:20 AM

I totally agree with all of these statements, especially Leonardo da Vinci. I believe that cats truly are masterpieces and the most fascinating creatures created by God. I am so thankful to have cats in my life! They are my passion!

Skylark

Amy August 24, 2008 5:54 AM

Just goes to show you that even the greatest people in history were humbled by the presence of the cat!

Stella Gaylor August 24, 2008 9:23 AM

The feline is a beautiful and mystical creature. You think you know them and then.....they surprise you. They are secretive and sly. And will defy most any thing in the open.
They are great listeners and then turn a deaf ear on you. They are devoted to you but ignore you also. They are what makes my life worth living for. They are my drug of choice. In this struggling time, they are what keeps me going and make my life at home a place I want to be to get away from the world and all its troubles.
They force me to stop and smell the roses, take a deep breath and keep on going. Yes, felines hold some kind of magic and will cast their spell over ones they love and care about. This is my thought why they were put here. Life would not be the same without them, and my life would not be as rich and maybe not worth living without them. (I don't want to find out either.)

Rani August 25, 2008 3:21 PM

The trouble with a kitten is that
It grows to be a cat
~ Ogden Nash

Dogs have owners.
Cats have staff.
~ Unknown, but we all know it's true

My very favorite poem about cats is Macavity, the Mystery Cat, by T.S. Eliot. I memorized it when I was in high school, circa 1971. I'll share a stanza of the story of thise wonderful "cat burglar," and give you the link to the whole thing..

Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity.
He's broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation
Would make a fakir stare.
And when you reach the scene of crime ~ Macavity's not there!

~Rani~

http://coral.lili.uni-bielefeld.de/Classes/Summer97/SemGS/WebLex/OldPossum/oldpossumlex/node11.html

add your comment

Advertisement

Petside: Get Started

Advertisement

Specials

Check out these deals picked by petside.com just for you!

Newsletter & Deals

Register now for Newsletters and Personal Tools.

Your Name: Your Email:

Your privacy is important to us.
Click here for the full policy.