Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sternewas an Irish novelist and an Anglican clergyman. He wrote the novels The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, and also published many sermons, wrote memoirs, and was involved in local politics. Sterne died in London after years of fighting consumption...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth24 November 1713
CountryIreland
wise book reading
The mind should be accustomed to make wise reflections, and draw curious conclusions as it goes along; the habitude of which made Pliny the Younger affirm that he never read book so bad but he drew some profit from it.
atheist ignorance superstitions
An atheist is more reclaimable than a papist, as ignorance is sooner cured than superstition.
forgiveness bravery forgiving
Only the brave know how to forgive... a coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.
respect self-esteem morality
Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.
life eye simple
I take a simple view of life. It is keep your eyes open and get on with it.
humor wish half
It is not in the power of every one to taste humor, however he may wish it; it is the gift of God! and a true feeler always brings half the entertainment along with him.
desire increases thirst
The desire of knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.
men tire pursuit
Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.
men tire pursuit
Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.
silly simplicity would-be
Simplicity is the great friend to nature, and if I would be proud of anything in this silly world, it should be of this honest alliance.
ambition pride purpose
Certainly it was ordained as a scourge upon the pride of human wisdom, that the wisest of us all, should thus outwit ourselves, and eternally forego our purposes in the intemperate act of pursuing them.
men light air
It is curious to observe the triumph of slight incidents over the mind; and what incredible weight they have in forming and governing our opinions, both of men and things, that trifles light as air shall waft a belief into the soul, and plant it so immovable within it, that Euclid's demonstrations, could they be brought to batter it in breach, should not all have power to overthrow it!
mother loneliness
The loneliness is the mother of wisdom.
want heat argument
Heat is in proportion to the want of true knowledge.