Jonathan Swift Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Jonathan Swift quotes, Jonathan Swift sayings, and Jonathan Swift proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old. Jonathan Swift
No wise man ever wished to be younger. Jonathan Swift
A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart. Jonathan Swift
It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into. Jonathan Swift
Nothing more unqualified the man to act with prudence than a misfortune that is attended with shame and guilt. Jonathan Swift
A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart. Jonathan Swift
Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse. Whoever makes the fewest people uneasy is the best bred in the room. Jonathan Swift
An idle reason lessens the weight of the good ones you gave before. Jonathan Swift
There seems to be no part of knowledge in fewer hands than that of discerning when to have done. Jonathan Swift
Better belly burst than good liquor be lost. Jonathan Swift
Coffee makes us severe, and grave, and philosophical. Jonathan Swift
Invention is the talent of youth, as judgment is of age. Jonathan Swift
Better belly burst than good liquor be lost. Jonathan Swift
Positiveness is a good quality for preachers and speakers because, whoever shares his thoughts with the public will convince them as he himself appears convinced. Jonathan Swift
Satire, being levelled at all, is never resented for an offence by any. Jonathan Swift
The chameleon, who is said to feed upon nothing but air, has of all animals the nimblest tongue. Jonathan Swift
Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is the talent of youth, and judgment of age. Jonathan Swift
It is remarkable with what Christian fortitude and resignation we can bear the suffering of other folks. Jonathan Swift
Rhetoric in serious discourses is like the flowers in corn; pleasing to those who come only for amusement, but prejudicial to him who would reap profit from it. Jonathan Swift
A carpenter is known by his chips. Jonathan Swift
Vision is the art of seeing things invisible. Jonathan Swift
The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age; but that of a good one will not reform it. Jonathan Swift
Men always grow vicious before they become unbelievers. Jonathan Swift
Difference in opinions has cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether the juice of a certain berry be blood or wine. Jonathan Swift
Observation is an old man's memory. Jonathan Swift
Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others. Jonathan Swift
Better belly burst than good liquor be lost. Jonathan Swift
Bread is the staff of life. Jonathan Swift
Although men are accused of not knowing their own weakness, yet perhaps few know their own strength. It is in men as in soils, where sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not of. Jonathan Swift
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