When I am reading a book, whether wise or silly, it seems to me to be alive and talking to me. Jonathan Swift More Quotes by Jonathan Swift More Quotes From Jonathan Swift Brutes find out where their talents lie; a bear will not attempt to fly. Jonathan Swift talent bears lying Liberty of conscience is nowadays only understood to be the liberty of believing what men please, but also of endeavoring to propagate that belief as much as they can. Jonathan Swift liberty men believe Tis nothing when you are used to it. Jonathan Swift used When I am in danger of bursting, I will go and whisper among the reeds. Jonathan Swift reeds secrecy danger Bread is the staff of life. Jonathan Swift eating bread food Under the rose, since here are none but friends, To own the truth we have some private ends. Jonathan Swift secrecy ends rose Satire, being levelled at all, is never resented for an offence by any. Jonathan Swift satire offence Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem. Jonathan Swift flattery worst way A college joke to cure the dumps. Jonathan Swift dump cures college When dunces are satiric, I take it for a panegyric. Jonathan Swift dunces satire Common fluency of speech in many men and most women is owing to a scarcity of matter. Jonathan Swift owing scarcity men Modesty may make a fool seem a man of sense. Jonathan Swift fool may men Possession, they say, is eleven points of the law. Jonathan Swift eleven possession law There are certain common privileges of a writer, the benefit whereof, I hope, there will be no reason to doubt; particularly, that where I am not understood, it shall be concluded, that something very useful and profound is couched underneath; and again, that whatever word or sentence is printed in a different character, shall be judged to contain something extraordinary either or wit of sublime. Jonathan Swift sublime character profound They say fingers were made before forks, and hands before knives. Jonathan Swift knives eating hands It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Jonathan Swift gullivers-travels eggs break I will venture to affirm, that the three seasons wherein our corn has miscarried did no more contribute to our present misery, than one spoonful of water thrown upon a rat already drowned would contribute to his death; and that the present plentiful harvest, although it should be followed by a dozen ensuing, would no more restore us, than it would the rat aforesaid to put him near the fire, which might indeed warm his fur-coat, but never bring him back to life. Jonathan Swift fire water war It is an uncontrolled truth, that no man ever made an ill figure who understood his own talents, nor a good one who mistook them. Jonathan Swift talent figures men Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe, how much it altered her person for the worse. Jonathan Swift saws lasts believe Faith, that's as well said as if I had said it myself. Jonathan Swift well-said wells conceited
