Jonathan Swift

In all distresses of our friends
We first consult our private ends;
While Nature, kindly bent to read more

In all distresses of our friends
We first consult our private ends;
While Nature, kindly bent to ease us,
Points out some circumstance to please us.

Human brutes, like other beasts, find snares and poison in the provision of life, and are allured by their appetites read more

Human brutes, like other beasts, find snares and poison in the provision of life, and are allured by their appetites to their destruction.

So, naturalists observe, a flea
Has smaller fleas that on him prey;
And these have smaller still read more

So, naturalists observe, a flea
Has smaller fleas that on him prey;
And these have smaller still to bite 'em,
And so proceed ad infinitum.
Thus every poet in his kind
Is bit by him that comes behind.

Positiveness is a good quality for preachers and speakers because, whoever shares his thoughts with the public will convince them read more

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.

A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying... that read more

A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying... that he is wiser today than yesterday.