662 Quotes by Jonathan Swift

Have you not observed that there is a lower kind of discretion and regularity, which seldom fails of raising men to the highest station in the court, the church, and the law?

Laws are best explained, interpreted and applied by those whose interest and abilities lie in perverting, confounding and eluding them

Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe, how much it altered her person for the worse.

A footman may swear; but he cannot swear like a lord. He can swear as often: but can he swear with equal delicacy, propriety, and judgment?

Exploding many things under the name of trifles is a very false proof either of wisdom or magnanimity, and a great check to virtuous actions with regard to fame.

Our passions are like convulsion fits, which, though they make us stronger for the time, leave us the weaker ever after

Walls have tongues, and hedges ears.

Nor do they trust their tongue alone, but speak a language of their own; can read a nod, a shrug, a look, far better than a printed book; convey a libel in a frown, and wink a reputation down.

Men always grow vicious before they become unbelievers.