Laurence Sterne Quotes

United Kingdom, Novelist
November 24, 1713 – March, 18, 1768.

Laurence Sterne (24 November 1713 – 18 March 1768) was an Irish-born English novelist and an Anglican clergyman. He wrote the novels The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, and also published many sermons, wrote memoirs, and was involved in local politics. Sterne died in London after years of fighting consumption.

Also known as Priest

Persuasion hung upon his lips, and the elements of Logick and Rhetorick were so blended up in him, - and, withall, he had so shrewd guess at the weaknesses and passions of his respondent, - that NATURE might have stood up and said, - 'This man is eloquent.'

Laurence Sterne
- Up
- Nature
They order, said I, this matter better in France.

Laurence Sterne

Whistled up to London, upon a Tom Fool's errand.

Laurence Sterne
- Up
- Fool
L-d! said my mother, what is all this story about? - A Cock and a Bull, said Yorick - And one of the best of its kind I ever heard.

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

Laurence Sterne
- Country
I pity the man who can travel from Dan to Beersheba and cry, 'Tis all barren!

Laurence Sterne
- Travel
Our armies swore terribly in Flanders, cried my uncle Toby, - but nothing to this. - For my own part, I could not have a heart to curse my dog so.

Laurence Sterne
- Heart
- Dog
- Uncle
We get forwards in the world not so much by doing services, as receiving them: you take a withering twig, and put it in the ground; and then you water it, because you have planted it.

Laurence Sterne
- World
- Water

Now or never was the time.

Laurence Sterne
- Time
I am sick as a horse.

Laurence Sterne
- Sick
- Horse
Hail, ye small, sweet courtesies of life! for smooth do ye make the road of it.

Laurence Sterne
- Life
- Small
- Road