Laurence Sterne's Quotes

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.

People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy.

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

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

For every ten jokes you acquire a hundred enemies.

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.

An English man does not travel to see English men.

God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

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.

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