A Modest Proposal

A satire sharpened to its most unsettling edge, where reason itself becomes an instrument of moral exposure.

In A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift delivers one of the most provocative and enduring works of political satire in the English language. Cloaked in the language of rational argument, the essay confronts social injustice with a severity that transforms irony into a powerful moral reckoning.

Swift adopts the voice of a calculated reformer who proposes a solution to poverty and overpopulation in Ireland—one so extreme that its logic reveals the inhumanity of the conditions it addresses. Through this chilling rhetorical strategy, the essay exposes the indifference of political authority and the reduction of human lives to matters of economic utility. Each carefully constructed argument deepens the tension between surface reason and underlying horror, compelling the reader to confront the ethical consequences of detached, purely utilitarian thought.

With precision and controlled intensity, Swift transforms satire into a force of lasting intellectual and moral impact. A Modest Proposal endures as a brilliant indictment of exploitation, a work in which the exaggeration of logic reveals truths too often obscured.

This Carlini Classics edition presents the complete, unabridged text in a beautifully designed format made to last.

• A masterwork of satire exposing social and political injustice
• A powerful critique of economic thinking divorced from humanity
• A timeless reflection on morality, reason, and responsibility

Available in multiple formats:

• Paperback & Hardcover: Beautifully designed print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text made to last.

• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.

• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, available on all major audiobook platforms.

Elegantly produced and enduring in form, this edition preserves Swift’s incisive voice in a volume designed for lasting reflection.

About the author

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) was an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, and clergyman, best known for his sharp wit and incisive critiques of human folly and societal injustice. Born in Dublin, Swift became a prominent voice in both literary and political circles, using his works to challenge authority and advocate for reform. His most famous works include Gulliver’s Travels, A Tale of a Tub, and The Drapier’s Letters, all of which showcase his mastery of satire and his commitment to exposing the failings of his time. Swift’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of literature to provoke thought, inspire change, and illuminate the complexities of the human condition.