Words are but wind; and learning is nothing but words; ergo, learning is nothing but wind. Jonathan Swift More Quotes by Jonathan Swift More Quotes From Jonathan Swift 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. Jonathan Swift revengepracticemen Love of flattery, in most men, proceeds from the mean opinion they have of themselves; in women, from the contrary. Jonathan Swift opinionmenmean One principal object of good-breeding is to suit our behaviour to the three several degrees of men, our superiors, our equals, and those below us. Jonathan Swift suitsdegreesmen I must complain the cards are ill shuffled till I have a good hand. Jonathan Swift gamblingcomplaininghands The two maxims of any great man at court are, always to keep his countenance, and never to keep his word. Jonathan Swift greatnessmentwo Great abilities, when employed as God directs, do but make the owners of them greater and more painful servants to their neighbors. Jonathan Swift neighborgreatnesspainful Everybody wants to live forever, but nobody wants to grow old. Jonathan Swift agewantforever No man of honor, as the word is usually understood, did ever pretend that his honor obliged him to be chaste or temperate, to pay his creditors, to be useful to his country, to do good to mankind, to endeavor to be wise or learned, to regard his word, his promise, or his oath. Jonathan Swift wisemencountry An English tongue, if refined to a certain standard, might perhaps be fixed forever. Jonathan Swift tongueforevermight Pride, ill nature, and want of sense are the three great sources of ill manners; without some one of these defects, no man will behave himself ill for want of experience, or what, in the language of fools, is called knowing the world. Jonathan Swift prideknowingmen In men desire begets love, and in women love begets desire. Jonathan Swift desirelovemen I with borrow'd silver shine, Jonathan Swift dancingshiningmoon A prince, the moment he is crown'd, Jonathan Swift sovereignwisesound Old sciences are unraveled like old stockings, by beginning at the foot. Jonathan Swift oxenfeetscience Fond of those hives where folly reigns, Jonathan Swift scandalreignnames Whence proceeds this weight we lay Jonathan Swift shapesweightpeople Story-telling is subject to two unavoidable defects,--frequent repetition and being soon exhausted; so that, whoever values this gift in himself, has need of a good memory, and ought frequently to shift his company. Jonathan Swift memoriestwoneeds Observation is an old man's memory. Jonathan Swift literaturemenmemories It may pass for a maxim in State, that the administration cannot be placed in too few hands, nor the legislature in too many. Jonathan Swift administrationgovernmenthands The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age; but that of a good one will not reform it. Jonathan Swift examplekingsage
