To write a book is for all the world like humming a song — be but in tune with yourself, madam, 'tis no matter how high or how low you take it. - Laurence Sterne

-Benim türümdeki yazarların ressamlarla paylaştıkları ortak bir ilke vardır. -Aslına tümüyle sadık kalarak kopyalamak resimlerimizin yeterince çarpıcı olmalarını engellediğinde, bizler ehven-i şeri (kötünün iyisini) seçer ve güzelliği ihlal etmektense hakikatı tahrif etmeyi (değiştirmeyi) yeğleriz.

was I Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, brought forth into this scurvy and disastrous world of ours. — I wish I had been born in the Moon, or in any of the planets (except Jupiter or Saturn, because I never could bear cold weather) for it could not well have fared worse with me in any of them (though I will not answer for Venus) than it has in this vile, dirty planet of ours, — which o’ my conscience, with reverence be it spoken, I take to be made up of the shreds and clippings of the rest; — — not but the planet is well enough, provided a man could be born in it to a great title or to a great estate; or could anyhow contrive to be called up to public charges, and employments of dignity or power; — but that is not my case; — — and

I have undertaken, you see, to write not only my life, but my opinions also; hoping and expecting that your knowledge of my character, and of what kind of a mortal I am, by the one, would give you a better relish for the other: As you proceed further with me, the slight acquaintance which is now beginning betwixt us, will grow into familiarity; and that, unless one of us is in fault, will terminate in friendship.