Biographies Quote by Jonathan Swift
![“If the world had but a dozen Arbuthnots I would burn my [Gulliver's] Travels.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/145/jonathan-swift-433_biographies_if-the-world-had-but-a-dozen-arbuthnots_2798846.jpg)
“If the world had but a dozen Arbuthnots I would burn my [Gulliver's] Travels.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, 1726
Swift mocks pretentious literary criticism, suggesting even a few pretentious scholars could ruin his work.
In simple terms: Criticizing overblown scholarship.
Key Takeaway
Beware of elitist critique.
Themes
literary satire
criticism
pride
Mood
wry
ironic
Type
satirical
literary
When to use this quote
- academic circles
- book reviews
- literary debates
- publishing decisions
Key Concepts
ego
elitism
satire
Questions to Reflect On
- How does elitism affect literary value?
- What role does humor play in criticism?
A Different Perspective
Satire may be misread as literal disdain.
![“I read so ravenously that I would read through whole categories. I was crazy about reading biographies. [...] I think biographies are very urgent to children.” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a53/joan-didion-497_biographies_i-read-so-ravenously-that-i-would-read-t_43631.jpg)
