The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Proper words in proper places, make the true definition of a style.
Letter to a Young Clergyman, 9 January 1720
If Heaven had looked upon riches to be a valuable thing, it would not have given them to such
a scoundrel.
Letter to Miss Vanhomrigh, 12-13 August 1720 (commonly echoed in the form: ‘If you want to know what
God thinks of money, look at the people he gives it to’).
I have ever hated all nations, professions and communities, and all my love is towards
individuals...But principally I hate and detest that animal called man; although I heartily love
John, Peter, Thomas, and so forth.
Letter to Pope, 29 September 1725, in Harold Williams (ed.) ‘The Correspondence of Jonathan Swift’ vol. 3
(1963) p. 103
Not die here in a rage, like a poisoned rat in a hole.
Letter to Bolingbroke, 21 March 1730, in Harold Williams (ed.) ‘The Correspondence of Jonathan Swift’ vol.
3 (1963) p. 382
Surely man is a broomstick!
‘A Meditation upon a Broomstick’ (1710)
I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young
healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food,
whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a
fricassee, or a ragout.
‘A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Ireland from being a Burden to their Parents or
Country’ (1729)
I mean, you lie—under a mistake.
‘Polite Conversation’ (1738) dialogue 1
She wears her clothes, as if they were thrown on her with a pitchfork.
‘Polite Conversation’ (1738) dialogue 1
Faith, that’s as well said, as if I had said it myself.
‘Polite Conversation’ (1738) dialogue 2
I always love to begin a journey on Sundays, because I shall have the prayers of the church, to
preserve all that travel by land, or by water.
‘Polite Conversation’ (1738) dialogue 2
Books, like men their authors, have no more than one way of coming into the world, but there
are ten thousand to go out of it, and return no more.
‘A Tale of a Tub’ (1704) ‘The Epistle Dedicatory’
Satire, being levelled at all, is never resented for an offence by any.
‘A Tale of a Tub’ (1704) ‘The Author’s Preface’
What though his head be empty, provided his commonplace book be full.
‘A Tale of a Tub’ (1704) ch. 7 ‘A Digression in Praise of Digressions’
Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe, how much it altered her person
for the worse.