Jonathan Swift quotes - page 3

All would live long, but none would be old. (Jonathan Swift)
So geographers, in Afric Marriages, With savage pictures fill their gaps, And o'er unhabitable downs Place elephants for want of towns.
Jonathan Swift
Sometimes I read a book with pleasure, and detest the author.
Jonathan Swift
Pretense is the overrating of any kind of knowledge we pretend to.
Jonathan Swift
I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.
Jonathan Swift
There are few wild beasts more to be dreaded than a talking man having nothing to say.
Jonathan Swift
Bread is the staff of life.
Jonathan Swift
Seamen have a custom, when they meet a whale, to fling him out an empty tub by way of amusement, to divert him from laying violent hands upon the ship.
Jonathan Swift
I know Sir John will go, though he was sure it would rain cats and dogs.
Jonathan Swift
I always like to begin a journey on Sundays, because I shall have the prayers of the Church to preserve all that travel by land or by water.
Jonathan Swift
Do you think I was born in a wood to be afraid of an owl. (Jonathan Swift)
The sight of you is good for sore eyes.
Jonathan Swift
Pride, ill nature, and want of sense, are the three great sources of ill manners.
Jonathan Swift
Most sorts of diversion in men, children and other animals, are in imitation of fighting.
Jonathan Swift
Under this window in stormy weather I marry this man and woman together; Let none but Him who rules the thunder Put this man and woman asunder.
Jonathan Swift
I won't quarrel with my bread and butter.
Jonathan Swift
Physicians ought not to give their judgment of religion, for the same reason that butchers are not admitted to be jurors upon life and death.
Jonathan Swift
It is a maxim, that those to whom everybody allows the second place have an undoubted title to the first.
Jonathan Swift
Venus, a beautiful, good-natured lady, was the goddess of love; Juno, a terrible shrew, the goddess of marriage: and they were always mortal enemies.
Jonathan Swift
I've often wish'd that I had clear, For life, six hundred pounds a year A handsome house to lodge a friend A river at my garden's end A terrace walk, and half a rood Of land set out to plant a wood.
Jonathan Swift
Theres none so blind as they that wont see. (Jonathan Swift)
And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together.
Jonathan Swift
She wears her clothes as if they are thrown on with a pitchfork.
Jonathan Swift
I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child, well nursed, is at a year old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout.
Jonathan Swift
'T is an old maxim in the schools, That flattery 's the food of fools Yet now and then your men of wit Will condescend to take a bit.
Jonathan Swift