"As blushing will sometimes make a whore pass for a virtuous woman, so modesty may make a fool seem a man of sense"

This quote by Jonathan Swift is a commentary on the power of appearances. He is suggesting that, just as a woman of ill prominence can appear to be virtuous if she blushes, a fool can appear to be wise if they are modest. Swift is implying that individuals must not be judged by their outside look, as it can be tricking. He is likewise suggesting that modesty can be a beneficial tool in developing a false impression of intelligence. This quote is a suggestion that we ought to not be too fast to judge someone based upon their outside appearance, as it can be misleading. It is likewise a pointer that modesty can be an effective tool in creating a false impression of intelligence.