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Quote by Laurence Sterne

Work

3 Books by Laurence Sterne

This compilation includes Sterne's most celebrated novels, showcasing his distinctive narrative voice and wit. The works are characterized by their philosophical depth and innovative use of the novel form. more

Author

Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne

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. more

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“Conversation is a traffick; and if you enter into it, without some stock of knowledge, to ballance the account perpetually betwixtyou,--the trade drops at once: and this is the reasonwhy travellers have so little [good] conversation with natives,--owing to their [the natives'] suspicionthat there is nothing to be extracted from the conversationworth the trouble of their bad language.”

IfsLittlesLanguageTroubleConversationTravelAccountsTradeForeignersTravellerOwingGood ConversationBad Language
Author:Laurence Sterne
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“Certainly it was ordained as a scourge upon the pride of human wisdom, that the wisest of us all, should thus outwit ourselves, and eternally forego our purposes in the intemperate act of pursuing them.”

ShouldHumansPurposePrideAmbitionExcessWisestScourgeHuman Wisdom
Book:The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. And A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy ... With Life of the Author by Sir Walter Scott, Portrait, and Outline Wood Engravings After Thomas Stothard
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“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.”

KnowsSoulExistenceAdventureSorrowConsciousMelancholyQuestsKnightsCountenanceSentimentality
Book:A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy: And, Continuation of the Bramine's Journal : with Related Texts
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“We all cry out that the world is corrupt,--and I fear too justly,--but we never reflect, what we have to thank for it, and that itis our open countenance of vice, which gives the lye to our private censures of it, which is its chief protection and encouragement.”

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

WayHeartMayLittlesHandsEyeInterestChanceMissingAdventurePerceptionLaysVolumeChances Are
Book:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman
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“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.”

WayActionLawHumanityCoursesJusticeDoorsStrangeBlessingScreensPunishmentHonourBetrayDisgraceObstruction
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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