Laurence Sterne, born on November 24, 1713, in Clonmel, Ireland, was a renowned 18th-century novelist and Anglican clergyman whose innovative writing style challenged literary norms. Best known for his satirical masterpiece, “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman” (1759–1767), and the sentimental “A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy” (1768), Sterne’s works explored human emotions, humor, and the absurdities of life. His career highlights include influencing modern literature with his stream-of-consciousness techniques and philosophical insights, earning him a lasting legacy as a pioneer of the novel. The quotes here are sourced from his books, sermons, and letters, focusing on themes of life. This list presents 15 quotes by Laurence Sterne that offer profound reflections on life’s complexities, drawn from his timeless writings.
15 Laurence Sterne Quotes
1. “God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.” (Book, “A Sentimental Journey”, 1768)
2. “Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.” (Book, “Tristram Shandy”, 1759)
3. “Life is a great surprise. I do not see why death should not be an even greater one.” (Book, “Tristram Shandy”, 1759)
4. “Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other.” (Book, “Tristram Shandy”, 1759)
5. “The desire of knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.” (Book, “Tristram Shandy”, 1759)
6. “I am positive I have a soul; nor can all the books with which materialists have pestered the world ever convince me to the contrary.” (Book, “Tristram Shandy”, 1759)
7. “So much is said, and so much is felt, in a very short space.” (Book, “A Sentimental Journey”, 1768)
8. “Lessons of wisdom have never such power over us as when they are wrought into the heart through the groundwork of a story.” (Sermon, n.d.)
9. “In this world, which is so generally chilled by the spirit of calculation, the soul sympathizes with that which is warm and impulsive.” (Letter, n.d.)
10. “The history of a soldier’s wound beguiles the pain of it.” (Book, “Tristram Shandy”, 1759)
11. “Life is too short to be little.” (Attributed in writings, n.d.)
12. “We must be free or die, who speak the tongue that Shakespeare spake.” (Book, “Tristram Shandy”, 1759)
13. “Every time a man smiles—but much more so when he laughs—it adds something to the fragment of life.” (Book, “Tristram Shandy”, 1759)
14. “The world is wide; no two days are alike, nor even two hours; neither were there ever two leaves of a tree alike since the creation of the world.” (Book, “A Sentimental Journey”, 1768)
15. “To define is to limit, and the world is too full of possibilities to be defined.” (Attributed in essays, n.d.)
These quotes from Laurence Sterne reveal a man who approached life with deep sensitivity, humor, and philosophical insight, often highlighting the interplay of joy and suffering, the importance of empathy, and the fleeting nature of existence. His words encourage reflection on how we navigate life’s unpredictability, blending wit with wisdom. What do these quotes resonate with you? Share your thoughts or favorite Sterne insight in the comments below to continue the conversation.