Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift

Satirist, Writer

Jonathan Swift was an Irish writer and satirist, best known for his work 'Gulliver's Travels', which critiques human nature and society.

Men Age Wise World Book Literature
Born
November 30, 1667
Died
October 19, 1745
Quotes
433
Rank
#489

About Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift — Life and Legacy

Jonathan Swift, an influential Irish writer and satirist, is best known for his seminal work 'Gulliver's Travels', which critiques human nature and societal norms. His sharp wit and keen observations on the follies of mankind reveal a deep understanding of the contradictions inherent in human behavior. For instance, Swift's assertion that 'Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own' underscores his belief that while satire exposes societal flaws, it often eludes personal reflection. Through his writing, Swift challenged the complacency of his contemporaries, using humor and irony to provoke critical thought. His work remains relevant today, as it continues to resonate with readers grappling with the complexities of human nature and societal issues.

Quote collection

Jonathan Swift quotes (page 1 of 22)

433 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through."

Inspirational Law Break Through
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"We have enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another."

Love Religious Hate
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery."

Government Slavery Definitions
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more believe than that the accidental jumbling of the alphabet would fall into a most ingenious treatise of philosophy."

Philosophy Believe Fall
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him."

Funny Education Truth
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"You should never be ashamed to admit you have been wrong. It only proves you are wiser today than yesterday"

Writing Yesterday Rejection
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"He was a bold man that first ate an oyster."

Food Men Oysters
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"A wise man will find us to be rogues by our faces."

Wise Men Rogues
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"It is the first rule in oratory that a man must appear such as he would persuade others to be: and that can be accomplished only by the force of his life."

Men Oratory Firsts
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"So geographers, in Africa maps, With savage pictures fill their gaps, And o'er uninhabitable downs Place elephants for want of towns"

Elephants Savages Maps
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"A prince, the moment he is crown'd, Inherits every virtue sound, As emblems of the sovereign power, Like other baubles in the Tower: Is generous, valiant, just, and wise, And so continues till he dies."

Wise Sovereign Sound
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"They say fish should swim thrice * * * first it should swim in the sea (do you mind me?) then it should swim in butter, and at last, sirrah, it should swim in good claret."

Food Lakes Sea
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"A fig for partridges and quails, ye dainties I know nothing of ye; But on the highest mount in Wales Would choose in peace to drink my coffee."

Coffee Drink Quails
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Jonathan Swift Satirist, Writer
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"There are few wild beasts more to be dreaded than a talking man having nothing to say."

Men Talking Beast
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