662 Quotes by Jonathan Swift

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.

A stander-by may sometimes, perhaps, see more of the game than he that plays it.

Bread is the staff of life.

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 are contented to be laughed at for their wit, but not for their folly

Old men and comets have been reverenced for the same reason: their long beards, and pretences to foretell events.

From not the gravest of Divines, Accept for once some serious Lines.

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

One of the very best rules of conversation is to never, say anything which any of the company wish had been left unsaid.