Laurence Sterne Quotes

Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, — though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst, — the cant of criticism is the most tormenting!

Our armies swore terribly in Flanders, cried my uncle Toby, — but nothing to this. — For my own part, I could not have a heart to curse my dog so.

The history of a soldier's wound beguiles the pain of it.

Persuasion hung upon his lips, and the elements of Logick and Rhetorick were so blended up in him, — and, withall, he had so shrewd guess at the weaknesses and passions of his respondent, — that NATURE might have stood up and said, — "This man is eloquent."

'Tis known by the name of perseverance in a good cause — and of obstinacy in a bad one.

Whistled up to London, upon a Tom Fool's errand.

He was within a few hours of giving his enemies the slip forever.

For every ten jokes, thou hast got a hundred enemies.

So long as a man rides his hobbyhorse peaceably and quietly along the King's highway, and neither compels you or me to get up behind him — pray, Sir, what have either you or I to do with it?

As we jogg on, either laugh with me, or at me, or in short do any thing—only keep your temper.

"Pray, my dear," quoth my mother, "have you not forgot to wind up the clock?" — "Good G—!" cried my father, making an exclamation, but taking care to moderate his voice at the same time, — "Did ever woman, since the creation of the world, interrupt a man with such a silly question?"

I wish either my father or my mother, or indeed both of them, as they were in duty both equally bound to it, had minded what they were about when they begot me.

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