Laurence Sterne

Learning is the dictionary, but sense the grammar of science.

— Laurence Sterne

The way to fame, is like the way to heaven,--through much tribulation.

— Laurence Sterne

A good simile,--as concise as a king's declaration of love.

— Laurence Sterne

Human nature is the same in all professions.

— Laurence Sterne

An English man does not travel to see English men.

— Laurence Sterne

There are worse occupations in this world than feeling a woman's pulse.

— Laurence Sterne

An actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.

— Laurence Sterne

Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.

— Laurence Sterne

There have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn…

— Laurence Sterne

Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, Slavery," said I, "still thou art a bitter draught.

— Laurence Sterne

I am persuaded ... that both man and woman bear pain or sorrow, (and, for aught I know, pleasure too) best in…

— Laurence Sterne

We are born to trouble; and we may depend upon it, whilst we live in this world, we shall have it, though…

— Laurence Sterne

When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.

— Laurence Sterne

An inward sincerity will of course influence the outward deportment; but where the one is wanting, there is great reason to suspect…

— Laurence Sterne

I am persuaded that every time a man smiles - but much more so when he laughs - it adds something to…

— Laurence Sterne

When a man is discontented with himself, it has one advantage - that it puts him into an excellent frame of mind…

— Laurence Sterne

It is not in the power of every one to taste humor, however he may wish it; it is the gift of…

— Laurence Sterne

There are many ways of inducing sleep--the thinking of purling rills, or waving woods; reckoning of numbers; droppings from a wet sponge…

— Laurence Sterne

I live in a constant endeavor to fence against the infirmities of ill health, and other evils of life, by mirth; being…

— Laurence Sterne

What a large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life by him who interests his heart in…

— Laurence Sterne

There is no such thing as real happiness in life. The justest definition that was ever given of it was "a tranquil…

— Laurence Sterne

The accusing spirit, which flew up to heaven's chancery with the oath, blushed as he gave it in; and the recording angel…

— Laurence Sterne

“Cursed luck! —said he, biting his lip as he shut the door, —for man to be master of one of the finest…

— Laurence Sterne

“Let love therefore be what it will, my Uncle Toby fell into it—And possibly, gentle reader, with such a temptation so wouldst…

— Laurence Sterne

So often has my judgment deceived me in my life, that I always suspect it, right or wrong,--at least I am seldom…

— Laurence Sterne

“I wonder what's all that noise, and running backwards and forwards for, above stairs, quoth my father, addressing himself, after an hour…

— Laurence Sterne

The cast, staff, and crew of a live theater work together toward a common goal: a good performance. Thus, theater is necessarily…

— Laurence Sterne

Conversation is a traffick; and if you enter into it, without some stock of knowledge, to ballance the account perpetually betwixtyou,--the trade…

— Laurence Sterne

In part of Lord Kames' Elements of Criticism, he says that "music improves the relish of a banquet." That I deny,--any more…

— Laurence Sterne

Upon the present theological computation, ten souls must be lost for one that is saved. At which rate of reckoning, heaven can…

— Laurence Sterne

I have undertaken, you see, to write not only my life, but my opinions also; hoping and expecting that your knowledge of…

— Laurence Sterne

To have the fear of God before our eyes, and, in our mutual dealings with each other, to govern our actions by…

— Laurence Sterne

Men tire themselves in the pursuit of sleep.

— Laurence Sterne

Chance is the providence of adventurers.

— Laurence Sterne

Trust that man in nothing who has not a conscience in everything.

— Laurence Sterne

Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other.

— Laurence Sterne

For every ten jokes you acquire a hundred enemies.

— Laurence Sterne

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

— Laurence Sterne

People who drink too much, health, and greedy. Hoard a treasure we do not like.

— Laurence Sterne

“...For every ten jokes - thou hast got an hundred enemies...”

— Laurence Sterne