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
adventure heart may
A large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life, by him who interests his heart in everything.
hypocrite criticism may
Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world - though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst - the cant of criticism is the most tormenting!
friends world may
The best friends in the world may differ sometimes.
giving may deities
We may imitate the Deity in all His attributes; but mercy is the only one in which we can pretend to equal Him. We cannot, indeed, give like God; but surely we may forgive like Him.
mind may receiving
The chaste mind, like a polished plane, may admit foul thoughts, without receiving their tincture.
adversity comfort may
The most affluent may be stripped of all, and find his worldly comforts, like so many withered leaves, dropping from him.
generosity may casual
Any one may do a casual act of good-nature; but a continuation of them shows it a part of the temperament.
passion men may
Madness is consistent; which is more than can be said for poor reason. Whatever may be the ruling passion at the time continues equally so throughout the whole delirium, though it should last for life. Madmen are always constant in love; which no man in his senses ever was. Our passions and principles are steady in frenzy; but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.
world may trouble
We are born to trouble; and we may depend upon it, whilst we live in this world, we shall have it, though with intermissions.
death stress may
Whatever stress some may lay upon it, a death-bed repentance is but a weak and slender plank to trust our all on.
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.