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

Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem

Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem

Invention is the talent of youth, as judgment is of age.

Invention is the talent of youth, as judgment is of age.

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...

Don't set your wit against a child.

Don't set your wit against a child.

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

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

We have enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love...

We have enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love...

Observation is an old man's memory.

Observation is an old man's memory.

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

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

A nice man is a man of nasty ideas.

A nice man is a man of nasty ideas.

May you live all the days of your life.

May you live all the days of your life.

Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all...

Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all...

When men grow virtuous in their old age, they are merely making a sacrifice to...

When men grow virtuous in their old age, they are merely making a sacrifice to...

As blushing will sometimes make a whore pass for a virtuous woman, so modesty may...

As blushing will sometimes make a whore pass for a virtuous woman, so modesty may...

A lie does not consist in the indirect position of words, but in the desire...

A lie does not consist in the indirect position of words, but in the desire...

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...

We are so fond on one another because our ailments are the same.

We are so fond on one another because our ailments are the same.

As love without esteem is capricious and volatile; esteem without love is languid and cold.

As love without esteem is capricious and volatile; esteem without love is languid and cold.

Under this window in stormy weather I marry this man and woman together; Let none...

Under this window in stormy weather I marry this man and woman together; Let none...

The latter part of a wise person's life is occupied with curing the follies, prejudices...

The latter part of a wise person's life is occupied with curing the follies, prejudices...

A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart.

A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart.