Laurence Sterne quotes - page 3

I was at peace with the world before, and this finish'd the treaty with myself. (Laurence Sterne)
I believe in my conscience I intercept many a thought which heaven intended for another man. View quote
Laurence Sterne
I am convinced, Yorick, continued my father, half reading and half discoursing, that there is a Northwest Passage to the intellectual world; and that the soul of man has shorter ways of going to work, in furnishing itself with knowledge and instruction, than we generally take with it. View quote
Laurence Sterne
Our armies swore terribly in Flanders, cried my uncle Toby, - but nothing to this. - For my own part, I could not have a heart to curse my dog so. View quote
Laurence Sterne
Hail, ye small, sweet courtesies of life! for smooth do ye make the road of it. View quote
Laurence Sterne
But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen, it governs me, I govern not it. View quote
Laurence Sterne
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. View quote
Laurence Sterne
Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas. View quote
Laurence Sterne
There have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture. View quote
Laurence Sterne
One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct. View quote
Laurence Sterne
Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through the groundwork of a story, which engages the passions. (Laurence Sterne)
A dwarf who brings a standard along with him to measure his own size, take my word, is a dwarf in more articles than one. View quote
Laurence Sterne
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. View quote
Laurence Sterne
An English man does not travel to see English men. View quote
Laurence Sterne
An actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand. View quote
Laurence Sterne
People who are always taking care of their health are like misers, who are hoarding a treasure which they have never spirit enough to enjoy. View quote
Laurence Sterne
Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason. View quote
Laurence Sterne
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. View quote
Laurence Sterne
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. View quote
Laurence Sterne
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. View quote
Laurence Sterne
What is the life of man! Is it not to shift from side to side? From sorrow to sorrow? To button up one cause of vexation! And unbutton another! (Laurence Sterne)
Pray, my dear," quoth my mother, "have you not forgot to wind up the clock?" - "Good G-!" cried my father, making an exclamation, but taking care to moderate his voice at the same time, - "Did ever woman, since the creation of the world, interrupt a man with such a silly question? View quote
Laurence Sterne
Whistled up to London, upon a Tom Fool's errand. View quote
Laurence Sterne
Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest. View quote
Laurence Sterne
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. View quote
Laurence Sterne