Appearance Quote by Laurence Sterne
“We often think ourselves inconsistent creatures, when we are the furthest from it, and all the variety of shapes and contradictory appearances we put on, are in truth but so many different attempts to gratify the same governing appetite.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne, 1759
Human beings appear inconsistent, yet this variety is many attempts to satisfy a single underlying desire.
In simple terms: We seem contradictory but share one core drive.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the common desire behind diverse behaviors.
Themes
human nature
contradiction
desire
Mood
analytical
philosophical
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- relationship counseling
- career planning
- self‑analysis
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- What underlying need drives your contradictory actions?
- How do you reconcile varied selves?
A Different Perspective
Oversimplifies complex motivations to a single appetite.
![“[..] the very open-endedness of human appetite is responsible for both our savagery and civility, since the creature that conceive of eating anything (including, notably, other humans) stands in particular need of ethical rules, manners, and rituals. we are not only what we eat, but how we eat, too.” quote by Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f64/michael-pollan-408_nature-of-man_the-very-open-endedness-of-human-appetit_2191442.jpg)
