69 quotes
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!
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1760)
Sweet pliability of man’s spirit, that can at once surrender itself to illusions, which cheat expectation and sorrow of their weary moments!
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
God tempers the wind, said Maria, to the shorn lamb.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
As we jogg on, either laugh with me, or at me, or in short do any thing—only keep your temper.
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1760)
I think there is a fatality in it; I seldom go to the place I set out for.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
I am positive I have a soul; nor can all the books with which materialists have pester’d the world ever convince me to the contrary.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
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.
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1760)
Titles of honour are like the impressions on coin—which add no value to gold and silver, but only render brass current.
A man's body and his mind, with the utmost reverence to both I speak it, are exactly like a jerkin and a jerkin's lining;—rumple the one,—you rumple the other.
Go poor Devil, get thee gone, why should I hurt thee? — This world surely is wide enough to hold both thee and me.
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1760)
Hail, ye small, sweet courtesies of life! for smooth do ye make the road of it.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
I believe in my conscience I intercept many a thought which heaven intended for another man.
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1760)
I was at peace with the world before, and this finish’d the treaty with myself.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
A man my good Sir, has seldom an offer of kindness to make to a woman, but she has a presentiment of it some moments before.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
He was within a few hours of giving his enemies the slip forever.
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1760)
When a man is discontented with himself, it has one advantage however, that it puts him into an excellent frame of mind for making a bargain.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
Grant me patience, just Heaven! 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.
He gave a deep sigh; I saw the iron enter into his soul.
They order, said I, this matter better in France.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
’Tis a quiet journey of the heart in pursuit of Nature, and those affections which arise out of her, which make us love each other,—and the world, better than we do.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)