Irish satirist. cleric, political pamphleteer.
He is best known for Gulliver's Travels, an account of Lemuel Gulliver's fanciful voyages. Jonathan Swift also published
numerous political pamphlets. The most sensational of these short works, "A Modest Proposal," is generally considered to be
the most famous satirical essay in the English language.
He became a staunch supporter of the Protestant Church and worked hard to publicise the plight of his fellow Irishmen, who
were being treated despicably by the English at the time.
Swift did not believe much in the new theoretical science and rational philosophy. He did not think that it would contribute
to the moral improvement of people. On the contrary, he saw it as a very dangerous display of pride and confidence in the powers of human reasoning.
This undermined what he believed was the most important point of traditional Christian faith, the belief that human beings
are fundamentally flawed creatures.
(1667-1745)
A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying... that he is wiser today than yesterday.
~ Jonathan Swift
The latter part of a wise person's life is occupied with curing the follies, prejudices and false opinions they contracted earlier.
~ Jonathan Swift
There is nothing constant in this world but inconsistency.
~ Jonathan Swift
Most sorts of diversion in men, children and other animals, are in imitation of fighting.
~ Jonathan Swift
When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him.
~ Jonathan Swift
One enemy can do more hurt than ten friends can do good.
~ Jonathan Swift
I've always believed no matter how many shots I miss, I'm going to make the next one.
~ Jonathan Swift
We are so fond on one another because our ailments are the same.
~ Jonathan Swift
Proper words in proper places make the true definiton of style.
~ Jonathan Swift
The want of belief is a defect that ought to be concealed when it cannot be overcome.
~ Jonathan Swift
I never knew a man come to greatness or eminence who lay abed late in the morning.
~ Jonathan Swift
Observation is an old man's memory.
~ Jonathan Swift
Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.
~ Jonathan Swift
If Heaven had looked upon riches to be a valuable thing, it would not have given them to such a scoundrel.
~ Jonathan Swift
Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old.
~ Jonathan Swift
Don't set your wit against a child.
~ Jonathan Swift
Politics, as the word is commonly understood, are nothing but corruptions.
~ Jonathan Swift
Better belly burst than good liquor be lost.
~ Jonathan Swift
Men are happy to be laughed at for their humor, but not for their folly.
~ Jonathan Swift
No man was ever so completely skilled in the conduct of life, as not to receive new information from age and experience.
~ Jonathan Swift
We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.
~ Jonathan Swift
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 - April 21, 1910), better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was a popular American author and humorist.
Upon his death he was lauded as the "greatest American humorist of his age."
Twain was called "the father of American literature"
and he was most noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
(1835-1910)
Do not wait; the time will never be "just right." Start
where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.
~ George Herbert
Of all the animals, man is the only one that lies.
~ Mark Twain
History would be an excellent thing, if only it were true.
~ Leo Tolstoy
