Jonathan Swift quotes - page 7

I have one word to say upon the subject of profound writers, who are grown very numerous of late; and I know very well the judicious world is resolved to list me in that number. I conceive therefore, as to the business of being profound, that it is with writers as with wells - a person with good eyes may see to the bottom of the deepest, provided any water be there: and often when there is nothing in the world at the bottom besides dryness and dirt, though it be but a yard and a-half under-ground, it shall pass, however, for wondrous deep upon no wiser reason than because it is wondrous dark. (Jonathan Swift)
He made it a part of his religion never to say grace to his meat.
Jonathan Swift
Positiveness is a good quality for preachers and orators, because he that would obtrude his thoughts and reasons upon a multitude, will convince others the more, as he appears convinced himself.
Jonathan Swift
What they do in heaven we are ignorant of; what they do not we are told expressly: that they neither marry, nor are given in marriage.
Jonathan Swift
How we apples swim!
Jonathan Swift
For, in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery: but in fact, eleven men well armed will certainly subdue one single man in his shirt.
Jonathan Swift
Then gave him some familiar Thumps, A College Joke to cure the Dumps.
Jonathan Swift
As learned commentators view In Homer more than Homer knew.
Jonathan Swift
For conversation well endued; She calls it witty to be rude; And, placing raillery in railing, Will tell aloud your greatest failing.
Jonathan Swift
I thought you and he were hand-in-glove.
Jonathan Swift
There was all the world and his wife. (Jonathan Swift)
I know nothing of music; I would not give a farthing for all the music in the universe.
Jonathan Swift
There are few, very few, that will own themselves in a mistake.
Jonathan Swift
Human brutes, like other beasts, find snares and poison in the provision of life, and are allured by their appetites to their destruction.
Jonathan Swift
Where I am not understood, it shall be concluded that something very useful and profound is couched underneath.
Jonathan Swift
Positiveness is a good quality for preachers and speakers because, whoever shares his thoughts with the public will convince them as he himself appears convinced.
Jonathan Swift
Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is the talent of youth, and judgment of age.
Jonathan Swift
Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.
Jonathan Swift
It is the folly of too many to mistake the echo of a London coffee-house for the voice of the kingdom.
Jonathan Swift
It is a maxim among these lawyers, that whatever hath been done before, may legally be done again: and therefore they take special care to record all the decisions formerly made against common justice and the general reason of mankind.
Jonathan Swift
Words are but wind; and learning is nothing but words; ergo, learning is nothing but wind. (Jonathan Swift)
A lie does not consist in the indirect position of words, but in the desire and intention, by false speaking, to deceive and injure your neighbour.
Jonathan Swift
Politics, as the word is commonly understood, are nothing but corruptions.
Jonathan Swift
No man was ever so completely skilled in the conduct of life, as not to receive new information from age and experience.
Jonathan Swift
Once kick the world, and the world and you will live together at a reasonably good understanding.
Jonathan Swift