662 Quotes by Jonathan Swift

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

Orators inflame the people, whose anger is really but a short fit of madness.

Brutes find out where their talents lie; A bear will not attempt to fly, A foundered horse will oft debate Before he tries a five barred gate. A dog by instinct turns aside Who sees the ditch too deep and wide, But man we find the only creature Who, led by folly, combats nature; Who, when she loudly cries-Forbear! With obstinacy fixes there; And where the genius least inclines, Absurdly bends his whole designs.

Apollo was held the god of physic and sender of disease. Both were originally the same trade, and still continue.

The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when we want shoes.

That incessant envy wherewith the common rate of mankind pursues all superior natures to their own.

It is likewise to be observed that this society hath a peculiar chant and jargon of their own, that no other mortal can understand, and wherein all their laws are written, which they take special care to multiply.

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

Kitchen Physic is the best Physic.