Jonathan Swift

No preacher is listened to but time, which gives us the same train and turn of thought that elder people read more

No preacher is listened to but time, which gives us the same train and turn of thought that elder people have in vain tried to put into our heads before

I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.

I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.

The greatest inventions were produced in the times of ignorance, as the use of the compass, gunpowder, and printing.

The greatest inventions were produced in the times of ignorance, as the use of the compass, gunpowder, and printing.

Where Young must torture his invention
To flatter knaves, or lose his pension.

Where Young must torture his invention
To flatter knaves, or lose his pension.

So, naturalists observe, a flea
Has smaller fleas that on him prey;
And these have smaller still read more

So, naturalists observe, a flea
Has smaller fleas that on him prey;
And these have smaller still to bite 'em,
And so proceed ad infinitum.
Thus every poet in his kind
Is bit by him that comes behind.