Books Quote by 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 thou: For never did thy eyes behold, or thy concupiscence covet, anything in this world more concupiscible than widow Wadman.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne, 1759
The narrator remarks on an intense, almost obsessive desire for a widow, comparing it to a powerful, irresistible temptation.
In simple terms: A man is deeply attracted to a widow, seeing her as the most tempting thing.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and reflect on overwhelming attractions.
Themes
desire
temptation
obsession
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- love affairs
- social expectations
- personal conflict
Key Concepts
romantic longing
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives such extreme attraction?
- How does society view desire for widows?
A Different Perspective
Such intense focus can blind one to other values or consequences.
![“[I]t is not by being richer or more powerful that a man becomes better; one is a matter of fortune, the other of virtue. Nor should she deem herself other than venal who weds a rich man rather than a poor, and desires more things in her husband than himself. Assuredly, whomsoever this…” quote by Héloïse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/43c/heloise-27050_affection_i-t-is-not-by-being-richer-or-more-power_726871.jpg)
