Another life Quote by Jonathan Swift
““So impossible it is for a man who looks no further than the present world to fix himself long in a contemplation where the present world has no part; he has no sure hold, no firm footing; he can never expect to remove the earth he rests upon while he has no support besides for his feet, but wants, like Archimedes, some other place whereon to stand. To talk of bearing pain and grief without any sort of present or future hope cannot be purely greatness of spirit; there must be a mixture in it of affectation and an alloy of pride, or perhaps is wholly counterfeit. It is true there has been all along in the world a notion of rewards and punishments in another life, but it seems to have rather served as an entertainment to poets or as a terror of children than a settled principle by which men pretended to govern any of their actions. The last celebrated words of Socrates, a little before his death, do not seem to reckon or build much upon any such opinion; and Caesar made no scruple to disown it and ridicule it in open senate.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, 1729
The passage critiques reliance on present‑oriented thinking and superficial moralizing, urging deeper purpose and authentic hope beyond fleeting comforts.
In simple terms: Short‑term focus hinders true growth and hope.
Seek lasting purpose beyond immediate concerns.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal development
- ethical decision making
- long‑term planning
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives your life meaning beyond daily tasks?
- How can hope be cultivated without false promises?
Idealistic expectations may ignore practical constraints.