"A tavern is a place where madness is sold by the bottle"

This quote by Jonathan Swift is a commentary on the results of alcohol consumption. He is suggesting that a pub is a location where people go to purchase and take in alcohol, and in doing so, they are purchasing into a type of insanity. This insanity might refer to the physical and mental results of alcohol, such as impaired judgement, loss of inhibitions, and even dependency. It could also describe the social effects of alcohol, such as increased aggression, violence, and other forms of careless habits. Swift's quote is an alerting about the threats of alcohol intake, and a pointer that it should be performed in moderation.