Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, - though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst, - the cant of criticism is the most tormenting!
Laurence Sterne

One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct.
Laurence Sterne

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

Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.
Laurence Sterne

Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other.
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The most accomplished way of using books is to serve them as some people do lords; learn their titles and then brag of their acquaintance.
Laurence Sterne

There have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture.
Laurence Sterne

Titles of honor are like the impressions on coins, which add no value to gold or silver, but only render brass current.
Laurence Sterne

What is the life of man! Is it not to shift from side to side? From sorrow to sorrow? To button up one cause of vexation! And unbutton another!
Laurence Sterne

When a man is discontented with himself, it has one advantage - that it puts him into an excellent frame of mind for making a bargain.
Laurence Sterne

When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.
Laurence Sterne

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