Explore Quotes by 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.

It is in men as in soils where sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not.

Every dog must have his day.

If Heaven had looked upon riches to be a valuable thing, it would not have given them to such a scoundrel.

Principally I hate and detest that animal called man; although I heartily love John, Peter, Thomas, and so forth.

The proper words in the proper places are the true definition of style.

The power of fortune is confessed only by the miserable, for the happy impute all their success to prudence or merit.

Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is the talent of youth, and judgment of age.

Poor nations are hungry, and rich nations are proud; and pride and hunger will ever be at variance.

Human brutes, like other beasts, find snares and poison in the provision of life, and are allured by their appetites to their destruction.

Once kick the world, and the world and you will live together at a reasonably good understanding.

It is the folly of too many to mistake the echo of a London coffee-house for the voice of the kingdom.

Censure is the tax a man pays to the public for being eminent.

The latter part of a wise person's life is occupied with curing the follies, prejudices and false opinions they contracted earlier.

I never knew a man come to greatness or eminence who lay abed late in the morning.

My nose itched, and I knew I should drink wine or kiss a fool.

Men are happy to be laughed at for their humor, but not for their folly.

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.

Don't set your wit against a child.

Promises and pie-crust are made to be broken.

I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.