We lose the right of complaining sometimes, by denying something, but this often triples its force. Laurence Sterne More Quotes by Laurence Sterne More Quotes From 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 knowingheavenpeople There are a thousand unnoticed openings, continued my father, which let penetrating eye at once into a man's soul; and I maintain it, added he, that a man of sense does not lay down his hat in coming into a room, --or take it up in going out of it, but something escapes, which discovers him. Laurence Sterne eyemenfather 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 culprittearschildren 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 takenfeetway Any one may do a casual act of good-nature; but a continuation of them shows it a part of the temperament. Laurence Sterne casualgenerositymay The very essence of gravity was design, and, consequently, deceit; it was a taught trick to gain credit of the world for more sense end knowledge than a man was worth; and that with all its pretensions it was no better, but often worse, than what a French wit had long ago defined it--a mysterious carriage of the body to cover the defects of the mind. Laurence Sterne long-agoessencemen What persons are by starts they are by nature. Laurence Sterne impulsepersons 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 differencesreligiousspirit Madness is consistent; which is more than can be said for poor reason. Whatever may be the ruling passion at the time continues equally so throughout the whole delirium, though it should last for life. Madmen are always constant in love; which no man in his senses ever was. Our passions and principles are steady in frenzy; but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason. Laurence Sterne passionmaymen 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 ill-willheartwind I have so great a contempt and detestation for meanness, that I could sooner make a friend of one who had committed murder, than of a person who could be capable, in any instance, of the former vice. Under meanness, I comprehend dishonesty; under dishonesty, ingratitude; under ingratitude, irreligion; and under this latter, every species of vice and immorality in human nature. Laurence Sterne dishonestymurdervices 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 ornamentshumilityexpression As monarchs have a right to call in the specie of a state, and raise its value, by their own impression; so are there certain prerogative geniuses, who are above plagiaries, who cannot be said to steal, but, from their improvement of a thought, rather to borrow it, and repay the commonwealth of letters with interest again; and may wore properly be said to adopt, than to kidnap a sentiment, by leaving it heir to their own fame. Laurence Sterne leavinggeniusletters 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 ill-healthevilmen Vanity bids all her sons be brave, and all her daughters chaste and courteous. Laurence Sterne vanitydaughterson The most affluent may be stripped of all, and find his worldly comforts, like so many withered leaves, dropping from him. Laurence Sterne adversitycomfortmay 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 gracesightdoors The best friends in the world may differ sometimes. Laurence Sterne friendsmayworld The brave only know how to forgive. Laurence Sterne forgivenessforgivingbrave A man should know something of his own country too, before he goes abroad. Laurence Sterne shouldmencountry
