Laurence Sterne Quotes - Page 4

Keep away from the fire!

Heaven be their resource who have no other but the charity of the world, the stock of which, I fear, is no way sufficient for the many great claims which are hourly made upon it.

People who drink too much, health, and greedy. Hoard a treasure we do not like.

Patience cannot remove, but it can always dignify and alleviate, misfortune.

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.

It appears an extraordinary thing to me, that since there is such a diabolical spirit in the depravity of human nature, as persecution for difference of opinion in religious tenets, there never happened to be any inquisition, any auto da fe, any crusade, among the Pagans.

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

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.

I am persuaded ... that both man and woman bear pain or sorrow, (and, for aught I know, pleasure too) best in a horizontal position.

What persons are by starts they are by nature.

The circumstances with which every thing in this world is begirt, give every thing in this world its size and shape;--and by tightening it, or relaxing it, this way or that, make the thing to be, what it is--great--little--good--bad--indifferent or not indifferent, just as the case happens.

The history of a soldier's wound beguiles the pain of it.

So often has my judgment deceived me in my life, that I always suspect it, right or wrong,--at least I am seldom hot upon cold subjects. For all this, I reverence truth as much as any body; andif a man will but take me by the hand, and go quietly and search for itI'll go to the world's end with him:MBut I hate disputes.

When the precipitancy of a man's wishes hurries on his ideas ninety times faster than the vehicle he rides in--woe be to truth!

We lose the right of complaining sometimes, by denying something, but this often triples its force.

The world is ashamed of being virtuous.

If a man has a right to be proud of anything, it is of a good action done as it ought to be, without any base interest lurking at the bottom of it.

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

There is nothing so awkward as courting a woman whilst she is making sausages.

A man who values a good night's rest will not lie down with enmity in his heart, if he can help it.

An inward sincerity will of course influence the outward deportment; but where the one is wanting, there is great reason to suspect the absence of the other.

Men tire themselves in the pursuit of sleep.

Any one may do a casual act of good-nature; but a continuation of them shows it a part of the temperament.

Every obstruction of the course of justice,--is a door opened to betray society, and bereave us of those blessings which it has inview.... It is a strange way of doing honour to God, to screen actions which are a disgrace to humanity.