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It is the hardest thing in the world to frighten a mongoose, because he is eaten up from nose to tail with curiosity. The motto of all the mongoose family is “Run and find out,” and Rikki-tikki was a true mongoose.

— Rudyard Kipling The Jungle Book (1894)

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More quotes by Rudyard Kipling

Asia is not going to be civilised after the methods of the West. There is too much Asia and she is too old.

The Man Who Was (1891)

It takes a great deal of Christianity to wipe out uncivilized Eastern instincts, such as falling in love at first sight.

Plain Tales from the Hills (1888)

God gave all men all earth to love,
But since our hearts are small,
Ordained for each one spot should prove
Belovèd over all.

Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.

Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.

The Second Jungle Book (1895)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Rudyard Kipling (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.