Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.
About Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sternewas an Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric who wrote the novels The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, published sermons and memoirs, and indulged in local politics. He grew up in a military family, travelling mainly in Ireland but briefly in England.
More quotes from Laurence Sterne
Religion which lays so many restraints upon us, is a troublesome companion to those who will lay no restraints upon themselves.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
For every ten jokes you acquire a hundred enemies.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through the groundwork of a story, which engages the passions.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen, it governs me, I govern not it.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
An actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Of all duties, prayer certainly is the sweetest and most easy.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Titles of honor are like the impressions on coins, which add no value to gold or silver, but only render brass current.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
I am persuaded that every time a man smiles – but much more so when he laughs – it adds something to this fragment of life.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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!
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
An English man does not travel to see English men.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Only the brave know how to forgive… a coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
A dwarf who brings a standard along with him to measure his own size, take my word, is a dwarf in more articles than one.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
There have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Keyholes are the occasions of more sin and wickedness, than all other holes in this world put together.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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!
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
I take a simple view of life. It is keep your eyes open and get on with it.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
Courtship consists in a number of quiet attentions, not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
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.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)
In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.
Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican cleric (1713-1768)