Jonathan Swift quotes - page 6

If a man should register all his opinions upon love, politics, religion, learning, etc., beginning from his youth, and so go on to old age, what a bundle of inconsistencies and contradictions would appear at last. (Jonathan Swift)
If a proud man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is that he keeps his at the same time. View quote
Jonathan Swift
A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying... that he is wiser today than yesterday. View quote
Jonathan Swift
Since the union of divinity and humanity is the great article of our religion, it is odd to see some clergymen, in their writings of divinity, wholly devoid of humanity. View quote
Jonathan Swift
Though Diogenes lived in a tub, there might be as much pride under his rags, as in the fine spun garments of the divine Plato. View quote
Jonathan Swift
When we desire or solicit anything, our minds run wholly on the good side or circumstances of it; when it is obtained, our minds run wholly on the bad ones. View quote
Jonathan Swift
Religion seems to have grown an infant with age, and requires miracles to nurse it, as it had in its infancy. View quote
Jonathan Swift
Fine words! I wonder where you stole them. View quote
Jonathan Swift
Conversation is but carving! Give no more to every guest Than he's able to digest. Give him always of the prime, And but little at a time. Carve to all but just enough, Let them neither starve nor stuff, And that you may have your due, Let your neighbor carve for you. View quote
Jonathan Swift
There's two words to that bargain. View quote
Jonathan Swift
When I behold this I sighed, and said within myself, "Surely mortal man is a broomstick!" Nature sent him into the world strong and lusty, in a thriving condition, wearing his own hair on his head, the proper branches of this reasoning vegetable, till the axe of intemperance has lopped off his green boughs, and left him a withered trunk; he then flies to art, and puts on a periwig, valuing himself upon an unnatural bundle of hairs, all covered with powder, that never grew on his head; but now should this our broomstick pretend to enter the scene, proud of those birchen spoils it never bore, and all covered with dust, through the sweepings of the finest lady's chamber, we should be apt to ridicule and despise its vanity. Partial judges that we are of our own excellencies, and other men's defaults! (Jonathan Swift)
You should never be ashamed to admit you have been wrong. It only proves you are wiser today than yesterday. View quote
Jonathan Swift
Vanity is a mark of humility rather than of pride. View quote
Jonathan Swift
There are few, very few, that will own themselves in a mistake, though all the World sees them to be in downright nonsense. View quote
Jonathan Swift
Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind reception it meets with in the world, and that so very few are offended with it. View quote
Jonathan Swift
That was excellently observed', say I, when I read a passage in an author, where his opinion agrees with mine. When we differ, there I pronounce him to be mistaken. View quote
Jonathan Swift
We of this age have discovered a shorter, and more prudent method to become scholars and wits, without the fatigue of reading or of thinking. View quote
Jonathan Swift
As boys do sparrows, with flinging salt upon their tails. View quote
Jonathan Swift
I mean you lie-under a mistake. View quote
Jonathan Swift
This evil fortune, which generally attends extraordinary men in the management of great affairs, has been imputed to divers causes, that need not be here set down, when so obvious a one occurs, if what a certain writer observes be true, that when a great genius appears in the world the dunces are all in confederacy against him. View quote
Jonathan Swift
He is taller by almost the breadth of my nail, than any of his court, which alone is enough to strike an awe into the beholders. (Jonathan Swift)
A set of phrases learnt by rote; A passion for a scarlet coat; When at a play to laugh, or cry, Yet cannot tell the reason why: Never to hold her tongue a minute; While all she prates has nothing in it. View quote
Jonathan Swift
You beat your pate, and fancy wit will come; Knock as you please, there's nobody at home. View quote
Jonathan Swift
She pays him in his own coin. View quote
Jonathan Swift
Sharp's the word with her. View quote
Jonathan Swift