The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

Hobbes clearly proves, that every creature
Lives in a state of war by nature.
‘On Poetry’ (1733) l. 319
So, naturalists observe, a flea
Hath smaller fleas that on him prey;
And these have smaller fleas to bite ’em,
And so proceed ad infinitum.
Thus every poet, in his kind,
Is bit by him that comes behind.
‘On Poetry’ (1733) l. 337
Walls have tongues, and hedges ears.
‘A Pastoral Dialogue between Richmond Lodge and Marble Hill’ (1727) l. 8
Humour is odd, grotesque, and wild,
Only by affectation spoiled;
’Tis never by invention got,
Men have it when they know it not.
‘To Mr Delany’ (1718) l. 25
Hated by fools, and fools to hate,
Be that my motto and my fate.
‘To Mr Delany’ (1718) l. 171
In all distresses of our friends,
We first consult our private ends;
While nature, kindly bent to ease us,
Points out some circumstance to please us.
‘Verses on the Death of Dr Swift’ (1731) l. 7
Poor Pope will grieve a month, and Gay
A week, and Arbuthnot a day.
St John himself will scarce forbear
To bite his pen, and drop a tear.
The rest will give a shrug, and cry,
‘I’m sorry—but we all must die!’
‘Verses on the Death of Dr Swift’ (1731) l. 207
Yet malice never was his aim;
He lashed the vice, but spared the name;
No individual could resent,
Where thousands equally were meant.
‘Verses on the Death of Dr Swift’ (1731) l. 512
He gave the little wealth he had
To build a house for fools and mad;
And showed, by one satiric touch,