Donkeys

"And when you hear the braying of a donkey, seek refuge with Allah from Satan for [its braying indicates] that it has seen a Satan."

"A wilful plough-ox should be put back in the track, a balking ass should be made to take the straight path."

"ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice but no ear. In Virginia City, Nevada, he is called the Washoe Canary, in Dakota, the Senator, and everywhere the Donkey. The animal is widely and variously celebrated in the literature, art and religion of every age and country; no other so engages and fires the human imagination as this noble vertebrate. Indeed, it is doubted by some (Ramasilus, lib. II., De Clem., and C. Stantatus, De Temperamente) if it is not a god; and as such we know it was worshiped by the Etruscans, and, if we may believe Macrobious, by the Cupasians also. Of the only two animals admitted into the Mahometan Paradise along with the souls of men, the ass that carried Balaam is one, the dog of the Seven Sleepers the other. This is no small distinction. From what has been written about this beast might be compiled a library of great splendor and magnitude, rivalling that of the Shakespearean cult, and that which clusters about the Bible. It may be said, generally, that all literature is more or less Asinine."

"Poor little foal of an oppressèd race! I love the languid patience of thy face."

"John Trott was desired by two witty peers To tell them the reason why asses had ears. "An 't please you," quoth John, "I'm not given to letters; Nor dare I pretend to know more than my betters: Howe'er, from this time I shall ne'er see your graces, As I hope to be saved! without thinking on asses.""

"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib."

"He shall be buried with the burial of an ass."

"Nasrudin, your donkey has been lost." "Thank goodness I was not on the donkey at the time, or I would be lost too."