Laurence Sterne Quotes & Sayings (Page 4)

“One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct.”

“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.”

“Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through the groundwork of a story, which engages the passions.”

“Religion which lays so many restraints upon us, is a troublesome companion to those who will lay no restraints upon themselves.”

“When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.”

“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!”

“There have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture.”

“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.”

“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!”