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Quote by Laurence Sterne

“Plutarch has a fine expression, with regard to some woman of learning, humility, and virtue;--that her ornaments were such as might be purchased without money, and would render any woman's life both glorious and happy.”

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

Work

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

The Works of Laurence Sterne is a comprehensive compilation of the author's writings, featuring his most renowned novels and essays. The volume also includes a detailed biography that explores Sterne's life and influences on his work. more

Author

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

“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.”

May Said States Certain Values Interest Genius Fame Letters Raises Leaving Improvement Stealing Impression Sentiments Heirs Monarchs Commonwealth Plagiarism Prerogative

Book:The works of Laurence Sterne

Source: The works of Laurence Sterne

“Precedents are the disgrace of legislation. They are not wanted to justify right measures, are absolutely insufficient to excuse wrong ones. They can only be useful to heralds, dancing masters, and gentlemen ushers.”

Wanted Masters Dancing Excuse Gentleman Justify Legislation Disgrace Precedent Insufficient

Book:The Posthumous Works of Laurence Sterne: ...

Source: The Posthumous Works of Laurence Sterne: ...

“If a man has a right to be proud of anything, it is of a good action done as it ought to be, without any base interest lurking at the bottom of it.”

Ifs Men Done Action Interest Pride Ought Proud Bottom Be Proud Lurking Good Actions

Book:The Beauties of Sterne: Containing All His Pathetic Tales, His Humorous Descriptions, His Most Distinguished Observations on Life, and a Copious Selection from His Sermons ...

Source: The Beauties of Sterne: Containing All His Pathetic Tales, His Humorous Descriptions, His Most Distinguished Observations on Life, and a Copious Selection from His Sermons ...

“The chaste mind, like a polished plane, may admit foul thoughts, without receiving their tincture.”

Mind May Planes Purity Receiving Foul Polished Chaste

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

Source: 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

“The mind should be accustomed to make wise reflections, and draw curious conclusions as it goes along; the habitude of which made Pliny the Younger affirm that he never read book so bad but he drew some profit from it.”

Should Mind Made Book Reading Wise Draws Reflection Profit Conclusion Curious Accustomed

Book:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

Source: The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

“Patience cannot remove, but it can always dignify and alleviate, misfortune.”

Remove Misfortunes Affliction Alleviate

Author:Laurence Sterne

“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.”