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.

Quote by Laurence Sterne

Topics: Laurence Sterne Quotes

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

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

An actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.

An actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.

I take a simple view of life. It is keep your eyes open and get...

I take a simple view of life. It is keep your eyes open and get...

I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in...

I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in...

I wish either my father or my mother, or indeed both of them, as they...

I wish either my father or my mother, or indeed both of them, as they...

God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen,...

But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen,...

For every ten jokes you acquire a hundred enemies.

For every ten jokes you acquire a hundred enemies.

The most accomplished way of using books is to serve them as some people do...

The most accomplished way of using books is to serve them as some people do...

You can always tell a real friend; when you've made a fool of yourself, he...

You can always tell a real friend; when you've made a fool of yourself, he...

Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through...

Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through...

In all unmerciful actions, the worst of men pay this compliment at least to humanity,...

In all unmerciful actions, the worst of men pay this compliment at least to humanity,...

Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, - though the cant...

Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, - though the cant...

Of all duties, prayer certainly is the sweetest and most easy.

Of all duties, prayer certainly is the sweetest and most easy.

One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his...

One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his...

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.

I am persuaded that every time a man smiles - but much more so when...

I am persuaded that every time a man smiles - but much more so when...

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

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

Manners are like the shadows of virtues, they are the momentary display of those qualities...

Manners are like the shadows of virtues, they are the momentary display of those qualities...

He that is pushing his predecessors into the gulf of obscurity, cannot but sometimes suspect,...

He that is pushing his predecessors into the gulf of obscurity, cannot but sometimes suspect,...