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Laurence Sterne

Laurence Sterne Quotes

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Famous Laurence Sterne Quotes

“The improbability of a malicious story serves but to help forward the currency of it, because it increases the scandal. So that, in such instances, the world is like the pious St. Austin, who said he believed some things because they were absurd and impossible.”

WorldSaidHelpingStoriesImpossibleIncreaseAbsurdInstanceCurrencyScandalPiousMaliciousAustinImprobability
Book:The works of Laurence Sterne, with a life of the author, written by himself
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“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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“Ten cooks' shops! ...and all within three minutes' driving! one would think that all the cooks in the world ...had said - Come, let us all go live at Paris: the French love good eating - they are all gourmands - we shall rank high.”

ThinkingWorldSaidThreeMinutesFoodTenEatingCookingDrivingCooksParisShopsCulinaryGood EatingFrench Love
Book:Tristram Shandy and A Sentimental Journey: (A Modern Library E-Book)
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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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“Every thing in this world, said my father, is big with jest,--and has wit in it, and instruction too,--if we can but find it out.”

IfsWorldSaidBigsFatherEducationKnowledgeThis WorldWitInstructionJest
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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