Laurence Sterne (1713–68) was an Irish-born British novelist and Anglican clergyman. Even though he produced only two works of fiction, he ranks as one of the foremost novelists of the 18th century on account of his experiments with the structure and organization of the novel.
Born in Clonmel in County Tipperary, Ireland, Sterne got educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he absorbed John Locke’s philosophy. Sterne subsequently worked as a clergyman in the north of England.
Sterne achieved instant notoriety and acclaim following the publication of the first two volumes of his nine-volume masterwork The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–67.) Heralding the development of modernism, this novel essentially challenged the conventions of the novel form and provoked much applause and abuse for its sentimentality and its salaciousness.
Tristram Shandy narrates the birth of its protagonist in volume four, near the novel’s midpoint. Sterne typifies that life is not necessarily best represented in a linear progression of dramatic incidents rounded off to a delightful moral analysis. Life is rather fragmentary and ever changing, and consists of a web of associations and influences drawing attention to the past and the future.
Sterne’s health-related sojourn in France provided material for his Sentimental Journey (1767,) which he completed before his death of tuberculosis. Sterne also wrote many sermons, memoirs, and was involved in local politics.
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People who are always taking care of their health are like misers, who are hoarding up a treasure which they have never spirit enough to enjoy.
—Laurence Sterne
The best hearts are ever the bravest.
—Laurence Sterne
Topics: Bravery
One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct.
—Laurence Sterne
Topics: Books, Reading
The happiness of life may be greatly increased by small courtesies in which there is no parade, whose voice is too still to tease, and which manifest themselves by tender and affectionate looks, and little kind acts of attention.
—Laurence Sterne
Topics: Kindness
Most of us are aware of and pretend to detest the barefaced instances of that hypocrisy by which men deceive others, but few of us are upon our guard or see that more fatal hypocrisy by which we deceive and over-reach our own hearts.
—Laurence Sterne
Topics: Hypocrisy
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