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Laurence Sterne

Laurence Sterne Quotes

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Famous Laurence Sterne Quotes

“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.”

MenShouldMaySaidReasonWholeLastsPassionPoorPrinciplesReturnMadnessConstantSensesConsistentSteadyRulingMadmenFrenzyDeliriumRuling Passion
Book:The Posthumous Works of Laurence Sterne: ...
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“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.”

MaySaidStatesCertainValuesInterestGeniusFameLettersRaisesLeavingImprovementStealingImpressionSentimentsHeirsMonarchsCommonwealthPlagiarismPrerogative
Book:The works of Laurence Sterne
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“The chaste mind, like a polished plane, may admit foul thoughts, without receiving their tincture.”

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Book:The Works of Laurence Sterne, A. M.: A sentimental journey through France and Italy. The Koran: or, The life, character and sentiments of Tria Juncta in Uno. A political romance
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“Beauty has so many charms, one knows not how to speak against it; and when it happens that a graceful figure is the habitation of a virtuous soul, when the beauty of the face speaks out the modesty and humility of the mind, and the justness of the proportion raises our thoughts up to the heart and wisdom of the great Creator, something may be allowed it,--and something to the embellishments which set it off; and yet, when the whole apology is read, it will be found at last that beauty, like truth, never is so glorious as when it goes the plainest.”

KnowsMindHeartMaySoulWholeHappensLastsFacesFoundSpeakBeautyFiguresHumilityRaisesCreatorGloriousCharmProportionApologyVirtuousModestyOur ThoughtsSpeaks OutEmbellishment
Book:The Works of Laurence Sterne: With a Life of the Author
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“In part of Lord Kames' Elements of Criticism, he says that "music improves the relish of a banquet." That I deny,--any more than painting might do. They may both be additional pleasures, as well as conversation is, but are perfectly distinct notices; and cannot, with the least propriety, be said to mix or blend with the repast, as none of them serve to raise the flavor of the wine, the sauce, the meat, or help to quicken appetite. But music and painting both add a spirit to devotion, and elevate the ardor.”

WellsMaySaidHelpingMightSpiritPleasureMusicLordPaintingConversationElementsCriticismRaisesWineAddDenyDevotionMeatAppetiteFlavorSauceRelishProprietyBanquetsArdor
Author:Laurence Sterne
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“We are born to trouble; and we may depend upon it, whilst we live in this world, we shall have it, though with intermissions.”

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Book:The Works of Laurence Sterne: Containing The Life and Opinions of Tristan Shandy ... [etc.] ; with a Life of the Author Written by Himself
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“Writings may be compared to wine. Sense is the strength, but wit the flavor.”

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Book:The Works of Laurence Sterne, A. M.: A sentimental journey through France and Italy. The Koran: or, The life, character and sentiments of Tria Juncta in Uno. A political romance
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“What a large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life by him who interests his heart in every thing, and who, having eyes to see, what time and chance are perpetually holding out to him as he journeyeth on his way, misses nothing he can fairly lay his hands on.”

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Book:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman
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“You can't make theater happen without actors. The actor is the central ingredient in making theater happen. Audiences may come to theaters to see the work of stage managers, directors and producers, but the only people who can communicate theater magic to audiences, through ideas and emotions, are the actors. They are the only ones who can communicate this by themselves, and if necessary, they can get along without you. But you can't make theater without the actor.”

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Author:Laurence Sterne
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“The cast, staff, and crew of a live theater work together toward a common goal: a good performance. Thus, theater is necessarily a group effort. However, it is never a group effort of vague fellow committee members, but of associated autocrats-a playwright, a producer, a director, a stage manager, designers, and, above all, actors. Each accommodates the others, and may overlap others in function when necessary. But each autocrat assumes distinct responsibilities and accepts them completely.”

MayTogetherActorsGoalCommonEffortResponsibilityAcceptingGroupsStageDirectorsMembersPerformancesFunctionTheaterFellowsAssumingCastsTheatreProducersManagersDesignerWorking TogetherStaffCommitteesCrewVaguePlaywrightAccommodateCommon GoalGroup EffortLive TheaterStage Managers
Author:Laurence Sterne
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