Enjoyed Quote by Jonathan Swift
““I enjoyed perfect health of body, and tranquillity of mind; I did not feel the treachery or inconstancy of a friend, nor the injuries of a secret or open enemy. I had no occasion of bribing, flattering, or pimping, to procure the favour of any great man, or of his minion; I wanted no fence against fraud or oppression: here was neither physician to destroy my body, nor lawyer to ruin my fortune; no informer to watch my words and actions, or forge accusations against me for hire: here were no gibers, censurers, backbiters, pickpockets, highwaymen, housebreakers, attorneys, bawds, buffoons, gamesters, politicians, wits, splenetics, tedious talkers, controvertists, ravishers, murderers, robbers, virtuosos; no leaders, or followers, of party and faction; no encouragers to vice, by seducement or examples; no dungeon, axes, gibbets, whipping-posts, or pillories; no cheating shopkeepers or mechanics; no pride, vanity, or affectation; no fops, bullies, drunkards, strolling whores, or poxes; no ranting, lewd, expensive wives; no stupid, proud pedants; no importunate, overbearing, quarrelsome, noisy, roaring, empty, conceited, swearing companions; no scoundrels raised from the dust upon the merit of their vices, or nobility thrown into it on account of their virtues; no lords, fiddlers, judges, or dancing-masters.””
About This Quote
Source Satire: A Tale of a Tub, 1704
A depiction of a society free from corruption, where no one manipulates or harms others, highlighting the absurdity of such utopia.
In simple terms: A world without any form of exploitation or oppression.
Recognize the dangers of unchecked power and strive for ethical governance.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political reform
- ethical leadership
- community building
- social justice
- law enforcement
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms prevent hidden corruption?
- How can societies balance freedom with accountability?
Ideal societies still require vigilance against hidden abuses.