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Laurence Sterne on Alone

1713–1768 Ireland

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3 quotes

Crowded towns and busy societies may delight the unthinking and the gay, but solitude is the best nurse of wisdom.

Solitude is the best nurse of wisdom.

I am impatient to set out for my solitude, for there the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon herself. In the world it seeks or accepts of a few treacherous supports—the feigned compassion of one—the flattery of a second—the civilities of a third—the friendship of a fourth—they all deceive, and bring the mind back to where mine is retreating, to retirement, reflection, and books.

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Laurence Sterne (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.