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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

  • economic disparity
  • social observation
  • philosophical debate

Putting it to work

  • question wealth distribution
  • evaluate merit

Questions to consider

  • Does wealth prove goodness?
  • Who deserves riches?

Another view

Swift ignores systemic reasons for wealth inequality.

More from Jonathan Swift

  1. Proper words in proper places, make the true definition of a style.

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  2. So weak thou art, that fools thy power despise; And yet so strong, thou triumph'st o'er the wise.

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. '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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