Where there are large powers with little ambition... nature may be said to have fallen short of her purposes.

Quote by Jonathan Swift

Topics: Jonathan Swift Quotes

One enemy can do more hurt than ten friends can do good.

One enemy can do more hurt than ten friends can do good.

Our passions are like convulsion fits, which, though they make us stronger for the time,...

Our passions are like convulsion fits, which, though they make us stronger for the time,...

Argument, as usually managed, is the worst sort of conversation, as in books it is...

Argument, as usually managed, is the worst sort of conversation, as in books it is...

For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition...

For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition...

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

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

Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the...

Ambition often puts men upon doing the meanest offices; so climbing is performed in the...

A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong,...

A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong,...

It is impossible that anything so natural, so necessary, and so universal as death, should...

It is impossible that anything so natural, so necessary, and so universal as death, should...

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

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

A tavern is a place where madness is sold by the bottle.

A tavern is a place where madness is sold by the bottle.

Politics, as the word is commonly understood, are nothing but corruption.

Politics, as the word is commonly understood, are nothing but corruption.

May you live all the days of your life.

May you live all the days of your life.

That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more...

That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more...

All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it...

All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it...

Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse. Whoever...

Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse. Whoever...

Words are but wind; and learning is nothing but words; ergo, learning is nothing but...

Words are but wind; and learning is nothing but words; ergo, learning is nothing but...

I never saw, heard, nor read, that the clergy were beloved in any nation where...

I never saw, heard, nor read, that the clergy were beloved in any nation where...

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.

Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere.

Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere.

The most profound things are inexpressible.

The most profound things are inexpressible.