And though the villain 'scape a while, he feels
Slow vengeance, like a bloodhound, at his heels.
JONATHAN SWIFT, "Horace, Book III Ode II: To the Earl of Oxford, Late Lord-Treasurer"
It is with theories as with wells; you may see to the bottom of the deepest if there be any water there, while another shall pass for wondrous profound when it is merely shallow, dark, and empty.
JONATHAN SWIFT, attributed, A Historical Archaeology of the Modern World
No preacher is listened to but time; which gives us the same train and turn of thought that elder people have tried in vain to put into our heads.
JONATHAN SWIFT, "Thoughts on Various Subjects", The Works of Jonathan Swift
I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.
JONATHAN SWIFT, "Thoughts on Various Subjects", The Works of Jonathan Swift
Without [simplicity] no human performance can arrive at perfection.
JONATHAN SWIFT, The Works of Jonathan Swift
As the best law is founded upon reason, so are the best manners. And as some lawyers have introduced unreasonable things into common law, so likewise many teachers have introduced absurd things into common good manners.
JONATHAN SWIFT, A Treatise on Good Manners and Good Breeding
Although men are accused for not knowing their own weakness, yet perhaps as few know their own strength; it is in men as in soils, where sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not of.
JONATHAN SWIFT, "Thoughts on Various Subjects", The Works of Jonathan Swift
When a great genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign; that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.
JONATHAN SWIFT, Abolishing Christianity and Other Essays
I know Sir John will go, though he was sure it would rain cats and dogs.
JONATHAN SWIFT, Polite Conversation
What some invent the rest enlarge.
JONATHAN SWIFT, Journal of a Modern Lady
Good manners is the art of making those people easy with whom we converse; whoever makes the fewest persons uneasy is the best bred man in company.
JONATHAN SWIFT, A Treatise on Good Manners and Good Breeding
An idle reason lessens the weight of the good ones you gave before.
JONATHAN SWIFT, The Works of the Reverend Dr. Jonathan Swift: Miscellanies in prose
We should never wed an opinion for better or for worse; what we take upon good grounds, we should lay down upon better.
JONATHAN SWIFT, attributed, Day's Collacon
Promises and pie-crusts are made to be broken.
JONATHAN SWIFT, "Polite Conversation", The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift
The first instance of men's neglect, is in their frequent absence from the church. There is no excuse so trivial, that will not pass upon some men's consciences to excuse their attendance at the public worship of God.
JONATHAN SWIFT, "On Sleeping In Church"
As the common forms of good manners were intended for regulating the conduct of those who have weak understandings; so they have been corrupted by the persons for whose use they were contrived.
JONATHAN SWIFT, A Treatise on Good Manners and Good Breeding
It is idle to propose remedies before we are assured of the disease.
JONATHAN SWIFT, A Modest Address to the Wicked Authors of the Present Age
He was a bold man that first eat an oyster.
