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Laurence Sterne

16 quotes

A name that surfaces again and again in collections of great quotes, Laurence Sterne clearly understood the power of language. Laurence Sterne's observations on Wisdom are as sharp as their thoughts on Health, revealing genuine breadth of mind. 17 of Laurence Sterne's sharpest quotes live here, spanning themes of Wisdom, Health, Travel, Strength, and Respect. To get a sense of their style, try: "An English man does not travel to see English men."

“Alas! if the principles of contentment are not within us, the height of station and worldly grandeur will as soon add a cubit to a man's stature as to his happiness.”

— Laurence Sterne

Happiness

All Quotes by Laurence Sterne

“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.”

— Laurence Sterne

Health

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

— Laurence Sterne

Life

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

— Laurence Sterne

Travel

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

— Laurence Sterne

Change

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

— Laurence Sterne

Knowledge

“Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.”

— Laurence Sterne

Men

“I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in a single cottage, on the top of a mountain, a mile from any habitation? He replied, that Providence was his next-door neighbor.”

— Laurence Sterne

Alone

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

— Laurence Sterne

Nature

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

— Laurence Sterne

Power

“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.”

— Laurence Sterne

Death

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

— Laurence Sterne

Wisdom

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

— Laurence Sterne

Strength

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

— Laurence Sterne

Religion

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

— Laurence Sterne

Respect

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

— Laurence Sterne

Health

“Alas! if the principles of contentment are not within us, the height of station and worldly grandeur will as soon add a cubit to a man's stature as to his happiness.”

— Laurence Sterne

Happiness