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 More Quotes by Laurence Sterne More Quotes From Laurence Sterne To have the fear of God before our eyes, and, in our mutual dealings with each other, to govern our actions by the eternal measures of right and wrong:MThe first of these will comprehend the duties of religion;Mthe second, those of morality, which are so inseparably connected together, that you cannot divide these two tableswithout breaking and mutually destroying them both. Laurence Sterne eye bible two There are few instances of the exercise of particular virtues which seem harder to attain to, or which appear more amiable and engaging in themselves, than those of moderation and the forgiveness of injuries. Laurence Sterne forgiveness virtue exercise So often has my judgment deceived me in my life, that I always suspect it, right or wrong,--at least I am seldom hot upon cold subjects. For all this, I reverence truth as much as any body; andif a man will but take me by the hand, and go quietly and search for itI'll go to the world's end with him:MBut I hate disputes. Laurence Sterne hate truth men When the precipitancy of a man's wishes hurries on his ideas ninety times faster than the vehicle he rides in--woe be to truth! Laurence Sterne patience men ideas 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 passion heart character It is curious to observe the triumph of slight incidents over the mind; and what incredible weight they have in forming and governing our opinions, both of men and things, that trifles light as air shall waft a belief into the soul, and plant it so immovable within it, that Euclid's demonstrations, could they be brought to batter it in breach, should not all have power to overthrow it! Laurence Sterne light air men Endless is the search of truth. Laurence Sterne endless truth The more tickets you have in a lottery, the worse your chance. And it is the same of virtues, in the lottery of life. Laurence Sterne tickets virtue chance The world is ashamed of being virtuous. Laurence Sterne ashamed work world 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 holy-days saint miracle A man who values a good night's rest will not lie down with enmity in his heart, if he can help it. Laurence Sterne good-night heart lying How many thousands of [lives] are there every year that comes cast away, (in all civilized countries at least)--and consider'd asnothing but common air, in competition of an hypothesis. Laurence Sterne air war country When the affections so kindly break loose, Joy, is another name for Religion. Laurence Sterne broken names joy 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 hypocrisy christianity religion 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 half would-be time But mark, madam, we live amongst riddles and mysteries--the most obvious things, which come in our way, have dark sides, which thequickest sight cannot penetrate into; and even the clearest and most exalted understandings amongst us find ourselves puzzled and at a loss in almost every cranny of nature's works. Laurence Sterne dark loss knowledge 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 knights soul adventure 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 blessing law doors 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 hypocrisy heart men Injuries come only from the heart. Laurence Sterne injury goodness heart
