Laurence Sterne Quotes - Page 6

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• Upon the present theological computation, ten souls must be lost for one that is saved. At which rate of reckoning, heaven can raise but its cohorts while hell commands its legions. From which sad account it would appear, that, though our Saviour had conquered death by the resurrection, he had not yet been able to overcome sin by the redemption.

  Laurence Sterne

  Heaven, Soul, Overcoming

  Laurence Sterne (1814). “The Works of Laurence Sterne: With a Life of the Author”, p.271

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• When a poor disconsolated drooping creature is terrified from all enjoyment,--prays without ceasing 'till his imagination is heated,--fasts and mortifies and mopes, till his body is in as bad a plight as his mind; is it a wonder, that the mechanical disturbancesof an empty belly, interpreted by an empty head, should be mistook for [the] workings [of God].

  Laurence Sterne

  Imagination, Mind, Plight

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• The proper education of poor children [is] the ground-work of almost every other kind of charity.... Without this foundation firstlaid, how much kindnessis unavoidably cast away?

  Laurence Sterne

  Education, Children, Charity

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• I have undertaken, you see, to write not only my life, but my opinions also; hoping and expecting that your knowledge of my character, and of what kind of a mortal I am, by the one, would give you a better relish for the other: As you proceed further with me, the slight acquaintance which is now beginning betwixt us, will grow into familiarity; and that, unless one of us is in fault, will terminate in friendship.

  Laurence Sterne

  Writing, Character, Giving

  Laurence Sterne, Sir Walter Scott (1832). “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman”, p.7

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• Human nature is the same in all professions.

  Laurence Sterne

  Human Nature, Profession, Humans

  Laurence Sterne (1817). “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman”, p.167

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• Probably Providence has implanted peevishness and ill-temper in sick and old persons, in compassion to the friends or relations who are to survive; as it must naturally lessen the concern they might otherwise feel for their loss.

  Laurence Sterne

  Loss, Compassion, Sick

  Laurence Sterne (1803). “The works of Laurence Sterne, with a life of the author, written by himself”

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• We may imitate the Deity in all His attributes; but mercy is the only one in which we can pretend to equal Him. We cannot, indeed, give like God; but surely we may forgive like Him.

  Laurence Sterne

  Giving, May, Deities

  Laurence Sterne (1790). “The Works of Laurence Sterne: Complete in Eight Volumes”, p.146

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• I was acquainted once with a gallant soldier who assured me that his only measure of courage was this: upon the first fire, in an engagement, he immediately looked upon himself as a dead man. He then bravely fought out the remainder of the day, perfectly regardless of all manner of danger, as becomes a dead man to be. So that all the life or limbs he carried back again to his tent he reckoned as clear gains, or, as he himself expressed it, so much out of the fire.

  Laurence Sterne

  Men, Fire, Soldier

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• There are some tempers--how shall I describe them--formed either of such impenetrable matter, or wrought up by habitual selfishness to such an utter insensibility of what becomes of the fortunes of their fellow-creatures, as if they were not partakers of the same nature, or had no lot or connection at all with the species.

  Laurence Sterne

  Selfishness, Connections, Matter

  Laurence Sterne (1873). “The Works of Laurence Sterne ...: With a Life of the Author”, p.26, London : Bickers, H. Sotheran

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• A large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life, by him who interests his heart in everything.

  Laurence Sterne

  Life, Heart, Adventure

  Laurence Sterne (1832). “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman”, p.260

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• How frequently is the honesty and integrity of a man disposed of by a smile or shrug! How many good and generous actions have been sunk into oblivion by a distrustful look, or stamped With the imputation of proceeding from bad motives, by a mysterious and seasonable whisper!

  Laurence Sterne

  Honesty, Integrity, Men

  Laurence Sterne (1857). “The Works of Laurence Sterne: Containing The Life and Opinions of Tristam Shandy, Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, Sermons, Letters, Etc”, p.548

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• The accusing spirit, which flew up to heaven's chancery with the oath, blushed as he gave it in; and the recording angel as he wrote it down dropped a tear upon the word and blotted it out forever.

  Laurence Sterne

  Angel, Flew Up, Forever

  'Tristram Shandy' (1759-67) bk. 6, ch. 8

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• To write a book is for all the world like humming a song—be but in tune with yourself, madam, 'tis no matter how high or how low you take it.

  Laurence Sterne

  Song, Book, Writing

  Laurence Sterne (1849). “The Works of Laurence Sterne: Containing The Life and Opinions of Tristan Shandy ... [etc.] ; with a Life of the Author Written by Himself”, p.137

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• Is this a fit time, said my father to himself, to talk of Pensions and Grenadiers?

  Laurence Sterne

  Time, Father, Fit

  'Tristram Shandy' (1759-67) bk. 4, ch. 5

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• In part of Lord Kames' Elements of Criticism, he says that "music improves the relish of a banquet." That I deny,--any more than painting might do. They may both be additional pleasures, as well as conversation is, but are perfectly distinct notices; and cannot, with the least propriety, be said to mix or blend with the repast, as none of them serve to raise the flavor of the wine, the sauce, the meat, or help to quicken appetite. But music and painting both add a spirit to devotion, and elevate the ardor.

  Laurence Sterne

  Music, Wine, Criticism

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• Hail! the small courtesies of life, for smooth do ye make the road of it, like grace and beauty, which beget inclinations to love at first sight; it is ye who open the door and let the stranger in.

  Laurence Sterne

  Sight, Doors, Grace

  Laurence Sterne (1873). “The Works of Laurence Sterne with a Life of the Author Written by Himself”, p.330

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• If death, said my father, reasoning with himself, is nothing but the separation of the soul from the body;--and if it is true that people can walk about and do their business without brains,--then certes the soul does not inhabit there.

  Laurence Sterne

  Father, People, Soul

  Laurence Sterne (2013). “3 Books by Laurence Sterne”, p.121, eBookIt.com

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• Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, Slavery," said I, "still thou art a bitter draught.

  Laurence Sterne

  Art, Slavery, Bitterness

  Laurence Sterne, John Hall-Stevenson (1792). “A Sentimental Journey: Through France and Italy”, p.97

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• Is it not an amazing thing, that men shall attempt to investigate the mystery of the redemption, when, at the same time that it is propounded to us as an article of faith solely, we are told that "the very angels have desired to pry into it in vain"?

  Laurence Sterne

  Angel, Men, Redemption

  Laurence Sterne (1805). “The Works of Laurence Sterne, A. M.: A sentimental journey through France and Italy. The Koran: or, The life, character and sentiments of Tria Juncta in Uno. A political romance”, p.379

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• Great is the power of Eloquence; but never is it so great as when it pleads along with nature, and the culprit is a child strayed from his duty, and returned to it again with tears.

  Laurence Sterne

  Children, Tears, Culprit

  Laurence Sterne, Melvyn New, Geoffrey Day (2006). “A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy: And, Continuation of the Bramine's Journal : with Related Texts”, p.239, Hackett Publishing

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• All womankind, from the highest to the lowest love jokes; the difficulty is to know how they choose to have them cut; and there is no knowing that, but by trying, as we do with our artillery in the field, by raising or letting down their breeches, till we hit the mark.

  Laurence Sterne

  Love, Cutting, Knowing

  Laurence Sterne (2013). “3 Books by Laurence Sterne”, p.493, eBookIt.com

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• You can't make theater happen without actors. The actor is the central ingredient in making theater happen. Audiences may come to theaters to see the work of stage managers, directors and producers, but the only people who can communicate theater magic to audiences, through ideas and emotions, are the actors. They are the only ones who can communicate this by themselves, and if necessary, they can get along without you. But you can't make theater without the actor.

  Laurence Sterne

  Ideas, People, Magic

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• The director is responsible for interpreting the playwright's work through the cast with the help of the staff. It is the director's artistic concept of the play that the cast, staff, and crew work to obtain.

  Laurence Sterne

  Play, Theatre, Directors

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• Sweet pliability of man's spirit, that can at once surrender itself to illusions, which cheat expectation and sorrow of their weary moments! - long - long since had ye numbered out my days, had I not trod so great a part of them upon this enchanted ground. When my way is too rough for my feet, or too steep for my strength, I get off it, to some smooth velvet path which fancy has scattered over with rose-buds of delights; and have taken a few turns on it, come back strengthened and refreshed.

  Laurence Sterne

  Sweet, Taken, Men

  Laurence Sterne (1805). “The Works of Laurence Sterne ...”, p.94

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• There is no definitive list of the duties of a stage manager that is applicable to all theaters and staging environments. Regardless of specific duties, however, the stage manager is the individual who accepts responsibility for the smooth running of rehearsals and performances, on stage and backstage.

  Laurence Sterne

  Running, Responsibility, Theatre

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