Top 35 Laurence Sterne Quotes

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

Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.

I take a simple view of life. It is keep your eyes open and get on with it.

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.

An English man does not travel to see English men.

Courtship consists in a number of quiet attentions, not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood.

But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen, it governs me, I govern not it.

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

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.

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.

Only the brave know how to forgive; it is the most refined and generous pitch of virtue human nature can arrive at.

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

God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

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

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

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.

The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.

Of all duties, prayer certainly is the sweetest and most easy.

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

Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.

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

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.

For every ten jokes you acquire a hundred enemies.

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

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.

Keyholes are the occasions of more sin and wickedness, than all other holes in this world put together.

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!

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

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.

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

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.

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

‘Tis known by the name of perseverance in a good cause, and of obstinacy in a bad one.

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

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.