And in this, Sir, I am of so nice and singular a humour, that if I thought you was able to form the least judgment or probable conjecture to yourself, of what was to come in the next page, - I would tear it out of my book.

Digressions, incontestably, are the sunshine; they are the life, the soul of reading! - take them out of this book, for instance, - you might as well take the book along with them

I begin with writing the first sentence—and trusting to Almighty God for the second.

To such, however, as do not choose to go so far back into these things, I can give no better advice, than that they skip over the remaining parts of this chapter; for I declare before-hand, 'tis wrote only for the curious and inquisitive.

I have begun a new book, on purpose that I might have room enough to explain the nature of the perplexities in which my uncle Toby was involved, from the many discourses and interrogations about the siege of Namur, where he received his wound.

Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.

So much of motion, is so much of life, and so much of joy, and to stand still, or get on but slowly, is death and the devil.

Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.

But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen, it governs me, I govern not it.