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Laurence Sterne

Laurence Sterne Quotes

Novelist

Laurence Sterne, born on November 24, 1713, and died on March 18, 1768, was a prominent English novelist of the 18th century. He is best known for his novel 'Tristram Shandy', which is considered a pioneer of modern fiction and is renowned for its unique narrative style and profound insights into human nature.

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All Men World May Literature Ifs Heart Way Mind Book Knows Should Soul Thinking Firsts Passion Said Writing Hands This World Wells

Famous Laurence Sterne Quotes

“I never drink. I cannot do it, on equal terms with others. It costs them only one day; but me three, the first in sinning, the second in suffering, and the third in repenting.”

Firsts Suffering Three Term Drink One Day Cost Equal Thirds Repent Sinning Intemperance

Book:The works of Laurence Sterne

Source: The works of Laurence Sterne

“I was acquainted once with a gallant soldier who assured me that his only measure of courage was this: upon the first fire, in an engagement, he immediately looked upon himself as a dead man. He then bravely fought out the remainder of the day, perfectly regardless of all manner of danger, as becomes a dead man to be. So that all the life or limbs he carried back again to his tent he reckoned as clear gains, or, as he himself expressed it, so much out of the fire.”

Men Firsts Clear Fire Danger Gains Soldier Resolution Engagement Limbs Assured Back Again Tents Dead Man Gallant

Author: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.”

Firsts Two Eye Action Together Religion Duty Morality Eternal Bible Connected Mutual Divides Destroying Our Actions Dealings

Author:Laurence Sterne

“I know not whether the remark is to our honour or otherwise, that lessons of wisdom have never such power over us, as when they are wrought into the heart, through the ground-work of a story which engages the passions: Is it that we are like iron, and must first be heated before we can be wrought upon?”

Knows Firsts Heart Stories Passion Fiction Lessons Iron Honour Maxims Remarks

Book:The Works of Laurence Sterne ...: With a Life of the Author

Source: The Works of Laurence Sterne ...: With a Life of the Author

“I begin with writing the first sentence—and trusting to Almighty God for the second.”

Writing Firsts Sentences Almighty Almighty God

Book:The works of Laurence Sterne

Source: The works of Laurence Sterne

“It is the nature of an hypothesis, when once a man has conceived it, that it assimilates every thing to itself, as proper nourishment; and, from the first moment of your begetting it, it generally grows the stronger by every thing you see, hear, read, or understand.”

Men Firsts Moments Science Reading Grows Understanding Stronger Hearing Hypothesis Nourishment

Author:Laurence Sterne

“First, whenever a man talks loudly against religion, always suspect that it is not his reason, but his passions, which have got the better of his creed. A bad life and a good belief are disagreeable and troublesome neighbors, and where they separate, depend upon it, 'Tis for no other cause but quietness sake.”

Men Firsts Reason Passion Belief Causes Atheism Depends Sake Neighbor Suspects Creeds Disagreeable Troublesome Quietness Against Religion Bad Life

Author:Laurence Sterne

“That of all the several ways of beginning a book which are now in practice throughout the known world, I am confident my own way of doing it is the bst-- I'm sure it is the most religious-- for I begin with writing the first sentence-- and trusting to Almighty God for the second.”

World Way Writing Firsts Book Religious My Own Known Practice Sentences Almighty Almighty God

Book:The works of Laurence Sterne

Source: The works of Laurence Sterne

“For I begin with writing the first sentence, — and trusting to Almighty God for the second.”

Writing Firsts Next Sentences Trust In God

Author:Laurence Sterne

“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.”

Firsts Grace Doors Sight Stranger Smooth Love At First Sight Inclination Courtesy Begets Hail

Book:The Works of Laurence Sterne with a Life of the Author Written by Himself

Source: The Works of Laurence Sterne with a Life of the Author Written by Himself