Laurence Sterne Quotes (82 Quotes)

Shall we for ever make new books, as apothecaries make new mixtures, by pouring only out of one vessel into another?

There are a thousand unnoticed openings, continued my father, which let a penetrating eye at once into a man's soul; and I maintain it, added he, that a man of sense does not lay down his hat in coming into a room, -- or take it up in going out of it, but something escapes, which discovers him.

Human nature is the same in all professions.

I have a strong propensity in me to begin this chapter very nonsensically, and I will not balk my fancy.--Accordingly I set off thus:

I have undertaken, you see, to write not only my life, but my opinions also; hoping and expecting that your knowledge of my character, and of what kind of a mortal I am, by the one, would give you a better relish for the other: As you proceed further with me, the slight acquaintance which is now beginning betwixt us, will grow into familiarity; and that, unless one of us is in fault, will terminate in friendship.

If death, said my father, reasoning with himself, is nothing but the separation of the soul from the body;--and if it is true that people can walk about and do their business without brains,--then certes the soul does not inhabit there.

The most accomplished way of using books is to serve them as some people do lords; learn their titles and then brag of their acquaintance.

Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.

I should have no objection to this method, but that I think it must smell too strong of the lamp.

There have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture.

I am persuaded that every time a man smiles - but much more so when he laughs - it adds something to this fragment of life.

Titles of honor are like the impressions on coins, which add no value to gold or silver, but only render brass current.

I am sick as a horse.

Men tire themselves in the pursuit of sleep.

Go, poor devil, get thee gone Why should I hurt thee This world surely is wide enough to hold both thee and me.

'Our armies swore terribly in Flanders,' cried my Uncle Toby, 'but nothing to this.'

Religion which lays so many restraints upon us, is a troublesome companion to those who will lay no restraints upon themselves.

It is a great pity but tis certain from every day's observation of man, that he may be set on fire like a candle, at either end provided there is a sufficient wick standing out.

The nonsense of the old women (Of both sexes).

Said my mother, 'What is all this story about' 'A Cock and a Bull', said Yorick.

Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through the groundwork of a story, which engages the passions.

When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.

A man should know something of his own country, too, before he goes abroad.

We lose the right of complaining sometimes, by denying something, but this often triples its force.

Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation.

When ever a person talks loudly against religion, always suspect that it is not their reason, but their passions, which have got the better of their beliefs. A bad life and a good belief are disagreeable and troublesome neighbors and when they separate, depend on it that it is for the sake of peace and quiet.

When a man is discontented with himself, it has one advantage - that it puts him into an excellent frame of mind for making a bargain.

Heat is in proportion to the want of true knowledge

An English man does not travel to see English men.

A man who values a good night's rest will not lie down with enmity in his heart, if he can help it.

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.

Algebra is the metaphysics of arithmetic.

An actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.

Trust that man in nothing who has not a conscience in everything.

So long as a man rides his Hobby-Horse peaceably and quietly along the King's highway, and neither compels you or me to get up behind him -- pray, Sir, what have either you or I to do with it

In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.

So much of motion, is so much of life, and so much of joy, and to stand still, or get on but slowly, is death and the devil.

People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy.

So that when I stretched out my hand, I caught hold of the fille de chambre's.

Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.

Whenever a man talks loudly against religion - Always suspect that it is not his reason, but his passions which have got the better of his creed.

One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct.

First, whenever a man talks loudly against religion, always suspect that it is not his reason, but his passions, which have got the better of his creed. A bad life and a good belief are disagreeable and troublesome neighbors, and where they separate, depend upon it, 'Tis for no other cause but quietness sake.

Only the brave know how to forgive... a coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.

Alas! if the principles of contentment are not within us, the height of station and worldly grandeur will as soon add a cubit to a man's stature as to his happiness.

'Tis no extravagant arithmetic to say, that for every ten jokes, thou hast got an hundred enemies and till thou hast gone on, and raised a swarm of wasps about thine ears, and art half stung to death by them, thou wilt never be convinced it is so.

Solitude is the best nurse of wisdom.

For every ten jokes, thou hast got a hundred enemies.

You forget the great Lipsius, quoth Yorick, who composed a work the day he was born - They should have wiped it up, said my uncle Toby, and said no more about it.

I wish either my father or my mother, or indeed both of them, as they were in duty both equally bound to it, had minded what they were about when they begot me.