One man pursues power in order to wealth, and another wealth in order to power, which last is the safer way, and generally followed.
Send
Quotes by Jonathan Swift
in Quotes & Aphorisms (Wisdom)
Whatever appears against their prevailing vice goes for nothing, being either not applied, or passing for libel and slander.
Send
It would be well if people would not lay so much weight on their own reason in matters of religion as to think everything impossible and absurd which they cannot conceive: how often do we contradict the right rules of reason in the whole course of our lives! Reason itself is true and just, but the reason of every particular man is weak and wavering, perpetually swayed and turned by his interests, his passions, and his vices.
Send
A usurping populace is its own dupe, a mere underworker, and a purchaser in trust for some single tyrant.
Send
The latter part of a wise man's life is taken up in curing the follies, prejudices, and false opinions he had contracted in the former.
Send
The poor beggar hath a just demand of an alms from the rich man, who is guilty of fraud, injustice, and oppression if he does not afford relief according to his abilities.
Send
Power, when employed to relieve the oppressed and to punish the oppressor, becomes a great blessing.
Send
He appealed to me whether in those countries I had travelled, as well as my own, I had not observed the same general disposition.
Send
The first springs of great events, like those of great rivers, are often mean and little.
Send
From the practice of the wisest nations, when a prince was laid aside for maladministration, the nobles and people did resume the administration of the supreme power.
Send