Jonathan Swift
Birthday: 30 November 1667, Dublin, Kingdom of Ireland [now Republic of Ireland]
Where I am not understood, it shall be concluded that something very useful and profound is couched Show more
Where I am not understood, it shall be concluded that something very useful and profound is couched underneath. Hide
[Gulliver] As I studied History I was struck by how many inconsequential men were elevated to great Show more
[Gulliver] As I studied History I was struck by how many inconsequential men were elevated to great power and responsibility, and how many times momentous events hinged on mere accident. Hide
The power of fortune is confessed only by the miserable, for the happy impute all their success to p Show more
The power of fortune is confessed only by the miserable, for the happy impute all their success to prudence or merit. Hide
Proper words in proper places, make the true definition of a style.
Proper words in proper places, make the true definition of a style.
[on flattery] 'Tis an old maxim in the schools that flattery's the food of fools; yet now and then y Show more
[on flattery] 'Tis an old maxim in the schools that flattery's the food of fools; yet now and then your men of wit will condescend to take a bit. Hide
The best doctors in the world are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merryman.
The best doctors in the world are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merryman.
Poor nations are hungry, and rich nations are proud; and pride and hunger will ever be at variance.
Poor nations are hungry, and rich nations are proud; and pride and hunger will ever be at variance.
Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own.
Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own.
It is the folly of too many to mistake the echo of a London coffee-house for the voice of the kingdo Show more
It is the folly of too many to mistake the echo of a London coffee-house for the voice of the kingdom. Hide
Gossip is what some invent and others enlarge.
Gossip is what some invent and others enlarge.
You cannot reason a man out of a position he wasn't reasoned into in the first place.
You cannot reason a man out of a position he wasn't reasoned into in the first place.
It is impossible that anything so natural, so necessary, and so universal as death should ever have Show more
It is impossible that anything so natural, so necessary, and so universal as death should ever have been designed by Providence as an evil to mankind. Hide
The most positive men are the most credulous.
The most positive men are the most credulous.
[on flattery] Nothing is so great an instance of ill manners as flattery. If you flatter all the com Show more
[on flattery] Nothing is so great an instance of ill manners as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; if you flatter only one or two, you affront all the rest. Hide
Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.
Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.
Books, the children of the brain.
Books, the children of the brain.
Anyone who loves either the law or sausages should not see either being made.
Anyone who loves either the law or sausages should not see either being made.
Jonathan Swift's FILMOGRAPHY
as Creator (1)
