Laurence Sterne was an Irish novelist born in 1713. He is best known for his novel, "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman". He is also known for his novel "A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy". Following is our collection on famous quotes by Laurence Sterne on education, life, love.
A good simile,--as concise as a king's declaration of love.
I take a simple view of life. It is keep your eyes open and get on with it.
Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.
Only the brave know how to forgive... a coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.
The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.
There is nothing so awkward as courting a woman whilst she is making sausages.
In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.
Freethinkers are generally those who never think at all.
Keyholes are the occasions of more sin and wickedness, than all other holes in this world put together.
Laurence Sterne inspirational quote
Laurence Sterne Image Quotes
A good simile,--as concise as a king's declaration of love. — Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne Short Quotes
Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other.
Solitude is the best nurse of wisdom.
The history of a soldier's wound beguiles the pain of it.
Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.
Chance is the providence of adventurers.
The brave only know how to forgive.
The way to fame, is like the way to heaven,--through much tribulation.
Patience cannot remove, but it can always dignify and alleviate, misfortune.
An actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.
A coward never forgives.
Laurence Sterne Quotes About Life
The happiness of life may be greatly increased by small courtesies in which there is no parade, whose voice is too still to tease, and which manifest themselves by tender and affectionate looks, and little kind acts of attention. — Laurence Sterne
A large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life, by him who interests his heart in everything. — 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
There is no such thing as real happiness in life. The justest definition that was ever given of it was "a tranquil acquiescence under an agreeable delusion"--I forget where. — Laurence Sterne
Some people pass through life soberly and religiously enough, without knowing way, or reasoning about it, but, from force of habit merely, go to heaven like fools. — Laurence Sterne
I live in a constant endeavor to fence against the infirmities of ill health, and other evils of life, by mirth; being firmly persuaded that every time a man smiles, but much more when he laughs, it adds some thing to his fragment of life. — Laurence Sterne
Hail! the small courtesies of life, for smooth do ye make the road of it, like grace and beauty, which beget inclinations to love at first sight; it is ye who open the door and let the stranger in. — Laurence Sterne
True Shandeism, think what you will against it, opens the heart and lungs, and like all those affections which partake of its nature, it forces the blood and other vital fluids of the body to run freely thro' its channels, and makes the wheel of life run long and chearfully round. — Laurence Sterne
I am persuaded that every time a man smiles, but much more so when he laughs, it adds something to this fragment of life. — Laurence Sterne
Plutarch has a fine expression, with regard to some woman of learning, humility, and virtue;--that her ornaments were such as might be purchased without money, and would render any woman's life both glorious and happy. — Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne Quotes About Love
All womankind, from the highest to the lowest love jokes; the difficulty is to know how they choose to have them cut; and there is no knowing that, but by trying, as we do with our artillery in the field, by raising or letting down their breeches, till we hit the mark. — Laurence Sterne
[I have] been in love with one princess or another almost all my life, and I hope I shall go on so, till I die, being firmly persuaded, that if ever I do a mean action, it must be in some interval betwixt one passion and another. — Laurence Sterne
Ten cooks' shops! ...and all within three minutes' driving! one would think that all the cooks in the world ...had said - Come, let us all go live at Paris: the French love good eating - they are all gourmands - we shall rank high. — Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne Quotes About World
Simplicity is the great friend to nature, and if I would be proud of anything in this silly world, it should be of this honest alliance. — Laurence Sterne
Every thing in this world, said my father, is big with jest,--and has wit in it, and instruction too,--if we can but find it out. — 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. — Laurence Sterne
Look into the world — 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. — Laurence Sterne
The most affluent may be stripped of all, and find his worldly comforts, like so many withered leaves, dropping from him. — Laurence Sterne
The improbability of a malicious story serves but to help forward the currency of it, because it increases the scandal. So that, in such instances, the world is like the pious St. Austin, who said he believed some things because they were absurd and impossible. — Laurence Sterne
There are worse occupations in this world than feeling a woman's pulse. — Laurence Sterne
We are born to trouble; and we may depend upon it, whilst we live in this world, we shall have it, though with intermissions. — Laurence Sterne
If there is an evil in this world, it is sorrow and heaviness of heart. The loss of goods, of health, of coronets and mitres, is only evil as they occasion sorrow; take that out, the rest is fancy, and dwelleth only in the head of man. — Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne Quotes About Humorous
For every ten jokes you acquire a hundred enemies. — Laurence Sterne
'Tis no extravagant arithmetic to say, that for every ten jokes, thou hast got an hundred enemies; and till thou hast gone on, and raised a swarm of wasps about thine ears, and art half stung to death by them, thou wilt never be convinced it is so. — Laurence Sterne
It is not in the power of every one to taste humor, however he may wish it; it is the gift of God! and a true feeler always brings half the entertainment along with him. — Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne Quotes About Religion
Religion which lays so many restraints upon us, is a troublesome companion to those who will lay no restraints upon themselves. — Laurence Sterne
There is not a greater paradox in nature,--than that so good a religion [as Christianity] should be no better recommended by its professors. — Laurence Sterne
Look into the world--how often do you behold a sordid wretch, whose straight heart is open to no man's affliction, taking shelterbehind an appearance of piety, and putting on the garb of religion, which none but the merciful and compassionate have a title to wear. — Laurence Sterne
When the affections so kindly break loose, Joy, is another name for Religion. — Laurence Sterne
The great end of all religionis to purify our hearts--and conquer our passions--and in a word, to make us wiser and better men--better neighbours--better citizens--and better servants of GOD. — Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne Quotes About Reason
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. — Laurence Sterne
Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason. — Laurence Sterne
When a man gives himself up to the government of a ruling passion,--or, in other words, when his HOBBY-HORSE grows head- strong,--farewell cool reason and fair discretion. — Laurence Sterne
If death, said my father, reasoning with himself, is nothing but the separation of the soul from the body;--and if it is true that people can walk about and do their business without brains,--then certes the soul does not inhabit there. — Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne Famous Quotes And Sayings
A good simile,--as concise as a king's declaration of love. — Laurence Sterne
When my way is too rough for my feet, or too steep for my strength, I get off it to some smooth velvet path which fancy has scattered over with rosebuds of delights; and, having taken a few turns in it, come back strengthened and refreshed. — Laurence Sterne
In solitude the mind gains strength, and learns to lean upon herself; in the world it seeks or accepts of a few treacherous supports--the feigned compassion of one, the flattery of a second, the civilities of a third, the friendship of a fourth--they all deceive, and bring the mind back to retirement, reflection, and books. — Laurence Sterne
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. — Laurence Sterne
Only the brave know how to forgive; it is the most refined and generous pitch of virtue human nature can arrive at. — Laurence Sterne
People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy. — Laurence Sterne
There are many ways of inducing sleep--the thinking of purling rills, or waving woods; reckoning of numbers; droppings from a wet sponge fixed over a brass pan, etc. But temperance and exercise answer much better than any of these succedaneums. — Laurence Sterne
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. — Laurence Sterne
Precedents are the disgrace of legislation. They are not wanted to justify right measures, are absolutely insufficient to excuse wrong ones. They can only be useful to heralds, dancing masters, and gentlemen ushers. — 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
The insolence of base minds in success is boundless; and would scarce admit of a comparison, did not they themselves furnish us with one in the degrees of their abjection when evil returns upon them. — Laurence Sterne
Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation. — Laurence Sterne
Courtship consists in a number of quiet attentions, not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood. — 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. — Laurence Sterne
The accusing spirit, which flew up to heaven's chancery with the oath, blushed as he gave it in; and the recording angel as he wrote it down dropped a tear upon the word and blotted it out forever. — 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. — 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. — 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. — Laurence Sterne
Any one may do a casual act of good-nature; but a continuation of them shows it a part of the temperament. — Laurence Sterne
When, to gratify a private appetite, it is once resolved upon that an ignorant and helpless creature shall be sacrificed, it is an easy matter to pick up sticks enough from any thicket where it has strayed, to make a fire to offer it up with. — Laurence Sterne
Trust that man in nothing who has not a conscience in everything. — Laurence Sterne
An English man does not travel to see English men. — Laurence Sterne
Sight is by much the noblest of the senses. We receive our notices from the other four, through the organs of sensation only. We hear, we feel, we smell, we taste, by touch. But sight rises infinitely higher. It is refined above matter, and equals the faculty of spirit. — Laurence Sterne
If thou art rich, then show the greatness of thy fortune; or what is better, the greatness of thy soul, in the meekness of thy conversation; condescend to men of low estate, support the distressed, and patronize the neglected. Be great. — Laurence Sterne
How frequently is the honesty and integrity of a man disposed of by a smile or shrug! How many good and generous actions have been sunk into oblivion by a distrustful look, or stamped With the imputation of proceeding from bad motives, by a mysterious and seasonable whisper! — Laurence Sterne
Upon the present theological computation, ten souls must be lost for one that is saved. At which rate of reckoning, heaven can raise but its cohorts while hell commands its legions. From which sad account it would appear, that, though our Saviour had conquered death by the resurrection, he had not yet been able to overcome sin by the redemption. — Laurence Sterne
I had had an affair with the moon, in which there was neither sin nor shame. — Laurence Sterne
Whatever stress some may lay upon it, a death-bed repentance is but a weak and slender plank to trust our all on. — Laurence Sterne
The sad vicissitude of things. — Laurence Sterne
I never drink. I cannot do it, on equal terms with others. It costs them only one day; but me three, the first in sinning, the second in suffering, and the third in repenting. — Laurence Sterne
There are some tempers--how shall I describe them--formed either of such impenetrable matter, or wrought up by habitual selfishness to such an utter insensibility of what becomes of the fortunes of their fellow-creatures, as if they were not partakers of the same nature, or had no lot or connection at all with the species. — Laurence Sterne
Vanity bids all her sons be brave, and all her daughters chaste and courteous. — Laurence Sterne
Probably Providence has implanted peevishness and ill-temper in sick and old persons, in compassion to the friends or relations who are to survive; as it must naturally lessen the concern they might otherwise feel for their loss. — Laurence Sterne
We may imitate the Deity in all His attributes; but mercy is the only one in which we can pretend to equal Him. We cannot, indeed, give like God; but surely we may forgive like Him. — Laurence Sterne
It is the nature of an hypothesis, when once a man has conceived it, that it assimilates every thing to itself, as proper nourishment; and, from the first moment of your begetting it, it generally grows the stronger by every thing you see, hear, read, or understand. — Laurence Sterne
What persons are by starts they are by nature. — Laurence Sterne
So fruitful is slander in variety of expedients to satiate as well as disguise itself. But if these smoother weapons cut so sore, what shall we say of open and unblushing scandal, subjected to no caution, tied down to no restraints? — Laurence Sterne
God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. — Laurence Sterne
'Tis known by the name of perseverance in a good cause,-and of obstinacy in a bad one. — Laurence Sterne
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. — Laurence Sterne
There is no small degree of malicious craft in fixing upon a season to give a mark of enmity and ill-will: a word--a look, which at one time would make no impression, at another time wounds the heart, and, like a shaft flying with the wind, pierces deep, which, with its own natural force, would scarce have reached the object aimed at. — Laurence Sterne
One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct. — Laurence Sterne
Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, Slavery," said I, "still thou art a bitter draught. — Laurence Sterne
Before an affliction is digested, consolation ever comes too soon; and after it is digested, it comes too late. — Laurence Sterne
The chaste mind, like a polished plane, may admit foul thoughts, without receiving their tincture. — Laurence Sterne
Shall we for ever make new books, as apothecaries make new mixtures, by pouring only out of one vessel into another? — Laurence Sterne
Great is the power of Eloquence; but never is it so great as when it pleads along with nature, and the culprit is a child strayed from his duty, and returned to it again with tears. — Laurence Sterne
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. — Laurence Sterne
Heat is in proportion to the want of true knowledge. — Laurence Sterne
Always carry it in thy mind, and act upon it, as a sure maxim: "That women are timid:" And 'tis well they are--else there would beno dealing with them. — Laurence Sterne
First, whenever a man talks loudly against religion, always suspect that it is not his reason, but his passions, which have got the better of his creed. A bad life and a good belief are disagreeable and troublesome neighbors, and where they separate, depend upon it, 'Tis for no other cause but quietness sake. — Laurence Sterne
I know as well as any one, [the devil] is an adversary, whom if we resist, he will fly from us--but I seldom resist him at all; from a terror, that though I may conquer, I may still get a hurt in the combat--soinstead of thinking to make him fly, I generally fly myself. — Laurence Sterne
It is sweet to feel by what fine spun threads our affections are drawn together. — Laurence Sterne
If time, like money, could be laid by while one was not using it, there might be some excuse for the idleness of half of the world, but yet not a full one. For even this would be such an economy as the living on a principal sum, without making it purchase interest. — Laurence Sterne
The desire of knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it. — Laurence Sterne
Ye whose clay-cold heads and luke-warm hearts can argue down or mask your passions--tell me, what trespass is it that man should have them?... If nature has so wove her web of kindness, that some threads of love and desire are entangled with the piece--must the whole web be rent in drawing them out? — Laurence Sterne
I know not whether the remark is to our honour or otherwise, that lessons of wisdom have never such power over us, as when they are wrought into the heart, through the ground-work of a story which engages the passions: Is it that we are like iron, and must first be heated before we can be wrought upon? — Laurence Sterne
When ever a person talks loudly against religion, always suspect that it is not their reason, but their passions, which have got the better of their beliefs. A bad life and a good belief are disagreeable and troublesome neighbors; and when they separate, depend on it that it is for the sake of peace and quiet. — Laurence Sterne
Shall we be destined to the days of eternity, on holy-days, as well as working-days, to be showing the relics of learning, as monks do the relics of their saints - without working one - one single miracle with them? — Laurence Sterne
The soul and body are joint-sharers in every thing they get: A man cannot dress, but his ideas get cloath'd at the same time; andif he dresses like a gentleman, every one of them stands presented to his imagination, genteelized along with him. — Laurence Sterne
Tis going, I own, like the Knight of the Woeful Countenance, in quest of melancholy adventures--but I know not how it is, but I am never so perfectly conscious of the existence of a soul within me, as when I am entangled in them. — Laurence Sterne
I hate set dissertations,--and above all things in the world, 'tis one of the silliest things in one of them, to darken your hypothesis by placing a number of tall, opake words, one before another, in a right line, betwixt your own and your readers conception. — Laurence Sterne
Keep away from the fire! — Laurence Sterne
Conversation is a traffick; and if you enter into it, without some stock of knowledge, to ballance the account perpetually betwixtyou,--the trade drops at once: and this is the reasonwhy travellers have so little [good] conversation with natives,--owing to their [the natives'] suspicionthat there is nothing to be extracted from the conversationworth the trouble of their bad language. — Laurence Sterne
My father, whose way was to force every event in nature into an hypothesis, by which means never man crucified TRUTH at the rate he did. — Laurence Sterne
I am sick as a horse. — Laurence Sterne
Life Lessons by Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne teaches us to live life to the fullest and to make the most of every moment. He encourages us to find joy in the little things and to appreciate the beauty in the world around us.
He also reminds us to be compassionate and to show kindness to others, even in difficult times. He believes that understanding and empathy are essential for a meaningful life.
Finally, he encourages us to be open-minded and to embrace change, for it can bring new opportunities and experiences. He reminds us that life is unpredictable and that we must be willing to take risks and be flexible.
Citation
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