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. — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
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… — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
The insolence of base minds in success is boundless; and would scarce admit of a comparison, did not they themselves furnish us with one… — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
Digressions incontestably are the sunshine; they are the life, the soul of reading. — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
I was acquainted once with a gallant soldier who assured me that his only measure of courage was this: upon the first fire, in… — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
A man's body and his mind, with the utmost reverence to both I speak it, are exactly like a jerkin and a jerkin's lining;… — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
When the affections so kindly break loose, Joy, is another name for Religion. — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
Sweet pliability of man's spirit, that can at once surrender itself to illusions, which cheat expectation and sorrow of their weary moments! - long… — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
Philosophy has a fine saying for everything.-For Death it has an entire set. — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
Dear sensibility! Source inexhausted of all that's precious in our joys, or costly in our sorrows! Eternal fountain of our feelings! 'tis here I… — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
Beauty has so many charms, one knows not how to speak against it; and when it happens that a graceful figure is the habitation… — Laurence Sterne Copy Share Image
