The affectation of some late authors to introduce and multiply cant words is the most ruinous corruption in any language. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
The common fluency of speech in many men, and most women, is owing to a scarcity of matter and a scarcity of… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
An English tongue, if refined to a certain standard, might perhaps be fixed forever. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
A jargon form'd from the lost language, wit, Confounded in that Babel of the pit; Form'd by diseased conceptions, weak and wild,… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Nor do they trust their tongue alone, but speak a language of their own; can read a nod, a shrug, a look,… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Pride, ill nature, and want of sense are the three great sources of ill manners; without some one of these defects, no… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Words are but wind; and learning is nothing but words; ergo, learning is nothing but wind. — 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
