Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Laurence Sterne Novelist

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: England
  • Born: Nov 24, 1713
  • Died: Mar 18, 1768

Laurence Sterne was an Anglo-Irish novelist and an Anglican clergyman. He is best known for his novels The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy; but he also published many sermons, wrote memoirs, and was involved in local politics. Sterne died in London after years of fighting consumption.

People who are always taking care of their health are like misers, who are hoarding a treasure which they have never spirit enough to enjoy.

Religion which lays so many restraints upon us, is a troublesome companion to those who will lay no restraints upon themselves.

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.

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

So much of motion, is so much of life, and so much of joy, and to stand still, or get on but slowly, is death and the devil.

The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.

An English man does not travel to see English men.

Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through the groundwork of a story, which engages the passions.

Only the brave know how to forgive... a coward never forgave it is not in his nature.

People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy.

Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.

In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.

I take a simple view of life. It is keep your eyes open and get on with it.

Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.