Famous quote by Laurence Sterne

"Religion which lays so many restraints upon us, is a troublesome companion to those who will lay no restraints upon themselves"

About this Quote

Laurence Sterne’s observation draws a sharp distinction between external and internal discipline. He suggests that religion, with its myriad rules, customs, and moral frameworks, often appears burdensome, especially to individuals unwilling to place limits on their own behavior. Such people, lacking self-imposed boundaries, view religion’s prescriptions as irritants or even as antagonists to personal freedom and desire.

Self-restraint is essential to harmonious coexistence within any moral or social system. For those who cultivate their own sense of right and wrong, religious rules may reinforce an internal moral compass, aligning outer observance with inner conviction. But for the person who lives by impulse or rejects self-regulation, the presence of external laws and commands quickly becomes tiresome, perhaps even provocative. They may recoil from religious structures not because the rules themselves are objectively excessive, but because they disrupt a preference for unrestricted autonomy.

Sterne implicitly underscores a paradox: where self-control is missing, any call to morality or discipline will seem disproportionately harsh or repressive. The imposition of religious constraint, seen in dos and don’ts, rituals, expectations, clashes most with those least inclined to self-discipline. In contrast, for those who already seek to govern themselves, religion can serve as a guide, reassurance, or support.

There is also a subtle reflection here on responsibility and maturity. Accepting restraints, whether self-imposed or external, is part of growth, an acknowledgment of limits and the necessity for order in human endeavors. Sterne’s aphorism offers an implicit challenge: rather than resent religion’s constraints, individuals might examine their relationship with self-control. The degree to which one welcomes or resists external rules may reveal much about one’s own inner governance and readiness to live within a shared moral fabric. Through this lens, religion is not simply a nuisance, but a mirror reflecting the state of one's self-discipline.

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About the Author

Ireland Flag This quote is from Laurence Sterne between November 24, 1713 and March 18, 1768. He/she was a famous Novelist from Ireland. The author also have 31 other quotes.
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