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

I think I can see the precise and distinguishing marks of national characters more in these nonsensical minutiæ than in the most important matters of state; where great men of all nations talk and stalk so much alike, that I would not give ninepence to choose amongst them.

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

las leyes humanas no son el resultado de una elección libre original, sino el de la pura necesidad de poner límites a los perjudiciales efectos de aquellas conciencias que no constituyen ley para sí mismas; y están ideadas con el buen propósito de que, merced a las numerosas cauciones estipuladas de antemano, — en aquellos casos de corrupción y de extravío en los que ni los principios ni el freno de la conciencia lograrán enderezarnos, — suplan la fuerza de éstos y, mediante los horrores de la cárcel y la soga, nos obliguen a seguir por el camino recto’.