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
doors mountain literature
I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in a single cottage, on the top of a mountain, a mile from any habitation? He replied, that Providence was his next-door neighbor.
joy devil literature
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.
together wickedness literature
Keyholes are the occasions of more sin and wickedness, than all other holes in this world put together.
literature asks pens
But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen, it governs me, I govern not it.
men humanity literature
In all unmerciful actions, the worst of men pay this compliment at least to humanity, as to endeavour to wear as much of the appearance of it, as the case will well let them.
christian support literature
There have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture.
sleep men literature
Men tire themselves in the pursuit of sleep.
passion literature return
Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.
men mind literature
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.
change ideas literature
Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.
objection smell strong
I should have no objection to this method, but that I think it must smell too strong of the lamp.
along appetite book brings cold external forbids forth might page reign restore soul steps winter
Digressions, incontestably, are the sunshine; they are the life, the soul of reading! Take them out of this book, for instance, --you might as well take the book along with them; --one cold external winter would reign in every page of it; restore them to the writer; --he steps forth like a bridegroom, --bids All-hail; brings in variety, and forbids the appetite to fail.
best-friends fool permanent
You can always tell a real friend; when you've made a fool of yourself, he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.
absurd adds certainty lessens shame
Positiveness is an absurd foible. If you are in the right, it lessens your triumph; if in the wrong, it adds shame to your defeat.