4 Jonathan Swift Quotes on Pride

Jonathan Swift quotes on pride

1. When I behold this I sighed, and said within myself, 'Surely mortal man is a broomstick!' Nature sent him into the world strong and lusty, in a thriving condition, wearing his own hair on his head, the proper branches of this reasoning vegetable, till the axe of intemperance has lopped off his green boughs, and left him a withered trunk; he then flies to art, and puts on a periwig, valuing himself upon an unnatural bundle of hairs, all covered with powder, that never grew on his head; but now should this our broomstick pretend to enter the scene, proud of those birchen spoils it never bore, and all covered with dust, through the sweepings of the finest lady's chamber, we should be apt to ridicule and despise its vanity. Partial judges that we are of our own excellencies, and other men's defaults!

9. There are few, very few, that will own themselves in a mistake, though all the World sees them to be in downright nonsense.

50. Men are contented to be laughed at for their wit, but not for their folly.

62. Poor Nations are hungry, and rich Nations are proud, and Pride and Hunger will ever be at Variance.