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Quote by Jonathan Swift

“Would a writer know how to behave himself with relation td posterity? Let him consider in old books what he finds that he is glad to know, and what omissions he most laments.”

Quote by Jonathan Swift

Author

Jonathan Swift, born on November 30, 1667, and died on October 19, 1745, was an Irish writer, satirist, and politician, renowned for his satirical works. more

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“A poor spirit is poorer than a poor purse. A very few pounds a year would ease a man of the scandal of avarice.”

Men Years Spirit Poor Ease Pounds Scandal Purses Avarice

Author:Jonathan Swift

“The translators of the Bible were masters of an English style much fitter for that work than any we see in our present writings; the which is owing to the simplicity that runs through the whole.”

Writing Whole Running Style Masters Bible Simplicity Owing Translators

Book:The works

Source: The works

“The affectation of some late authors to introduce and multiply cant words is the most ruinous corruption in any language.”

Language Late Corruption Introducing Cant

Book:The Works of Jonathan Swift: Accurately Revised in Twelve Volumes, Adorned with Copper-plates. With Some Account of the Author's Life and Notes, Historical and Explanatory

Source: The Works of Jonathan Swift: Accurately Revised in Twelve Volumes, Adorned with Copper-plates. With Some Account of the Author's Life and Notes, Historical and Explanatory

“In all assemblies, though you wedge them ever so close, we may observe this peculiar property, that over their heads there is room enough; but how to reach it is the difficult point. To this end the philosopher's way in all ages has been by erecting certain edifices in the air.”

Way May Has Beens Ends Enough Age Certain Difficult Rooms Air Property Philosopher Peculiar Assembly Edifice Wedges Castles In The Air

Book:A Modest Proposal and Other Prose

Source: A Modest Proposal and Other Prose

“There are but three ways for a man to revenge himself of the censure of the world,--to despise it, to return the like, or to endeavor to live so as to avoid it; the first of these is usually pretended, the last is almost impossible, the universal practice is for the second.”

Men World Way Firsts Lasts Three Practice Impossible Return Universal Revenge Endeavor Despise Censure Three Ways

Book:The Works of Jonathan Swift ...: With Cop'ous Notes and Additions

Source: The Works of Jonathan Swift ...: With Cop'ous Notes and Additions

“A chuck under the chin is worth two kisses.”

Two Kissing Certainty Chins Chuck

Book:The works of Jonathan Swift, D.D.: with copious notes and additions and a memoir of the author

Source: The works of Jonathan Swift, D.D.: with copious notes and additions and a memoir of the author

“Such a man, truly wise, creams off Nature leaving the sour and the dregs for philosophy and reason to lap up.”

Men Reason Philosophy Wise Leaving Cream Lap Cheerfulness Sour Dregs

Book:A Tale of a Tub - (1704)

Source: A Tale of a Tub - (1704)

“A pleasant companion is as good as a coach.”

Coaches Pleasant Companion

Author:Jonathan Swift

“Conscience signifies that knowledge which a man hath of his own thoughts and actions; and because, if a man judgeth fairly of his actions by comparing them with the law of God, his mind will approve or condemn him; this knowledge or conscience may be both an accuser and a judge.”

Ifs Men Mind May Action Law Judging Conscience Compare Thoughts And Actions Accusers

Author:Jonathan Swift