Laurence Sterne
You can always tell a real friend; when you've made a fool of yourself, he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.
Laurence SterneA large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life, by him who interests his heart in everything.
Laurence SterneNothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.
Laurence SterneThe desire of knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.
Laurence SterneThe 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 SterneCourtship consists in a number of quiet attentions, not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood.
Laurence SterneAlas! 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 SterneSo 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.
Laurence SterneI 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 SterneWhen the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.
Laurence SterneSciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.
Laurence SterneThere have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture.
Laurence SterneAn English man does not travel to see English men.
Laurence SternePain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other.
Laurence SterneIn 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 SterneKeyholes are the occasions of more sin and wickedness, than all other holes in this world put together.
Laurence SterneOur passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.
Laurence SterneFor every ten jokes, thou hast got a hundred enemies.
Laurence SterneWhat 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 SterneBut this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen, it governs me, I govern not it.
Laurence SterneOf all duties, prayer certainly is the sweetest and most easy.
Laurence Sterne