WIST Quotations

Sterne, Laurence -- Tristam Shandy, 1.17 (1759-67)

Dave — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:17:21 +0000

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

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Tristam Shandy, 1.17 (1759-67)

See Browne.

Sterne, Laurence -- Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 12 (1760-1767)

Dave — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:54:25 +0000

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

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 12 (1760-1767)

Sterne, Laurence -- Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 22 (1760-1767)

Dave — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:36:25 +0000

Digressions, incontestably, are the sunshine; — & they are the life, the soul of reading; — take them out of this book for instance, — you might as well take the book along with them.

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 22 (1760-1767)

Sterne, Laurence -- Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 3 (1760-1767)

Dave — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 15:57:33 +0000

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

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 3 (1760-1767)

Sterne, Laurence -- Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 7 (1760-1767)

Dave — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:35:18 +0000

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?

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 7 (1760-1767)

Sterne, Laurence -- Tristam Shandy, Book 2, ch. 11 (1760-1767)

Dave — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 17:50:14 +0000

Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation.

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Tristam Shandy, Book 2, ch. 11 (1760-1767)

Sterne, Laurence -- Tristam Shandy, Book 7, ch. 2 (1765)

Dave — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:19:52 +0000

A man should know something of his own country too, before he goes abroad.

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Tristam Shandy, Book 7, ch. 2 (1765)

Sterne, Laurence -- Sermon 12, “Joseph’s History Considered”

Dave — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 16:52:43 +0000

The brave only know how to forgive; it is the most refined and generous pitch of virtue human nature can arrive at. Cowards have done good and kind actions, cowards have even fought, nay some times, even conquered; but a coward never forgave. It is not in his nature; the power of doing it flows only from a strength and greatness of soul, conscious of its own force and security, and above the little temptations of resenting every fruitless attempt to interrupt its happiness.

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Sermon 12, “Joseph’s History Considered”
(Source)