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.

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. death

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

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. health

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

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

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

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

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

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

An English man does not travel to see English men. travel

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

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

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not. wisdom

Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest. men

St. Patrick's Day March 17, 2025

There is no language like the Irish for soothing and quieting. 3 other quotes from John Millington Synge

3 other quotes from John Millington Synge

Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy. 28 sayings from William Butler Yeats

28 sayings from William Butler Yeats

Geographically, Ireland is a medium-sized rural island that is slowly but steadily being consumed by sheep. 27 other quotes from Dave Barry

27 other quotes from Dave Barry

We have always found the Irish a bit odd. They refuse to be English. 74 other quotes from Winston Churchill

74 other quotes from Winston Churchill