Words matter. These are the best Laurence Sterne Quotes, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.
Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.
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.
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.
Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.
I take a simple view of life. It is keep your eyes open and get on with it.
‘Tis known by the name of perseverance in a good cause, and of obstinacy in a bad one.
I am persuaded that every time a man smiles – but much more so when he laughs – it adds something to this fragment of life.
Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.
Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.
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.
Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation.
People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy.
Of all duties, prayer certainly is the sweetest and most easy.
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.
But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen, it governs me, I govern not it.
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!
An English man does not travel to see English men.
Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.
Keyholes are the occasions of more sin and wickedness, than all other holes in this world put together.
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.
Only the brave know how to forgive… a coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.
Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other.
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.
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.
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.
Titles of honor are like the impressions on coins, which add no value to gold or silver, but only render brass current.
An actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.
Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through the groundwork of a story, which engages the passions.
In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.
