[O]f all the several ways of beginning a book which are now in practice throughout the known world, I am confident my own way of doing it is the best… - Laurence Sterne

I begin with writing the first
sentence — and trusting to Almighty
God for the second.

And what of this new book the whole world makes such a rout about? — Oh ! 'tis out of all plumb, my lord, — quite an irregular thing!

I live in a constant endeavour to fence against the infirmities of ill health, and other evils of life, by mirth; being firmly persuaded that every time a man smiles, — but much more so, when he laughs, it adds something to this Fragment of Life.

Writing, when properly managed (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation. As no one, who knows what he is about in good company, would venture to talk all; — so no author, who understands the just boundaries of decorum and good-breeding, would presume to think all: The truest respect which you can pay to the reader’s understanding, is to halve this matter amicably, and leave him something to imagine, in his turn, as well as yourself.