If Heaven had looked upon riches to be a valuable thing, it would not have given them to such a scoundrel.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Swift suggests that wealth often falls to unworthy people, implying divine injustice or irony.
- In plain terms
- Riches are given to bad people, which doesn't make sense if they were valuable.
- What can you take from it?
- Wealth does not always reflect merit.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does wealth prove goodness?
- Who deserves riches?
Another view
Swift ignores systemic reasons for wealth inequality.
More from Jonathan Swift
Proper words in proper places, make the true definition of a style.
Permalink to quote #17 So weak thou art, that fools thy power despise; And yet so strong, thou triumph'st o'er the wise.
Permalink to quote #19 '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.
Permalink to quote #16
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