（外文电子版资料）Swift, Johnathan - Thoughts on Various Subjects.pdf

Thoughts On Various Subjects Jonathan Swift Thoughts On Various Subjects Table of Contents Thoughts On Various Subjects1 Jonathan Swift1 i Thoughts On Various Subjects Jonathan Swift This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online. WE have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another. Reflect on things past as wars, negotiations, factions, etc. We enter so little into those interests, that we wonder how men could possibly be so busy and concerned for things so transitory; look on the present times, we find the same humour, yet wonder not at all. A wise man endeavours, by considering all circumstances, to make conjectures and form conclusions; but the smallest accident intervening (and in the course of affairs it is impossible to foresee all) does often produce such turns and changes, that at last he is just as much in doubt of events as the most ignorant and inexperienced person. Positiveness is a good quality for preachers and orators, because he that would obtrude his thoughts and reasons upon a multitude, will convince others the more, as he appears convinced himself. How is it possible to expect that mankind will take advice, when they will not so much as take warning? I forget whether Advice be among the lost things which Aristo says are to be found in the moon; that and Time ought to have been there. No preacher is listened to but Time, which gives us the same train and turn of thought that older people have tried in vain to put into our heads before. When we desire or solicit anything, our minds run wholly on the