Story-telling is subject to two unavoidable defects,--frequent repetition and being soon exhausted; so that, whoever values this gift in himself, has need… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
And surely one of the best rules in conversation is, never to say a thing which any of the company can reasonably… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Whoever makes the fewest persons uneasy, is the best bred man in company. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Usually speaking, the worst-bred person in company is a young traveller just returned from abroad. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; If you… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Vain men delight in telling what Honours have been done them, what great Company they have kept, and the like; by which… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Perpetual aiming at wit is a very bad part of conversation. It is done to support a character: it generally fails; it… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company; and there are a hundred men… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Few are qualified to shine in company, but it is in most men's power to be agreeable. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
I love good creditable acquaintance; I love to be the worst of the company. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
111 company is like a dog, who dirts those most whom he loves best. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
“He said, he knew no reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should be obliged to change, or should not be… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
I with borrow'd silver shine, What you see is none of mine. First I show you but a quarter, Like the bow that guards… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
The best Maxim I know in this life is, to drink your Coffee when you can, and when you cannot, to be easy without… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
A forward critic often dupes us With sham quotations peri hupsos, And if we have not read Longinus, Will magisterially outshine us. Then, lest… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Ale is meat, drink and cloth; it will make a cat speak and a wise man dumb. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it is like spending this year part of the next… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
