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nydus/The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, GentlemanPublic

A man describes his birth and upbringing through the adventures of his family.

Page 185 of 810
Table of Contents

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in, a better security for his behaviour than all the causes and restrictions put together which lawmakers are forced to multiply:⁠— Forced , I say, as things stand; human laws not being a matter of original choice, but of pure necessity, brought in to fence against the mischievous effects of those consciences which are no law unto themselves; well intending, by the many provisions made,⁠—that in all such corrupt and misguided cases, where principles and the checks of conscience will not make us upright,⁠—to supply their force, and, by the terrors of gaols and halters, oblige us to it.” > > [I see plainly, said my father, that this sermon has been composed to be preached at the Temple,⁠⸺⁠or at some Assize.⁠—I like the reasoning,⁠—and am sorry that Dr. Slop has fallen asleep before the time of his conviction:⁠—for it is now clear, that the Parson, as I thought at first, never insulted St. Paul in the least;⁠—nor has there been, brother, the least difference between them.⁠⸺⁠A great matter, if they had differed, replied my uncle Toby ,⁠—the best friends in the world may differ sometimes.⁠⸺⁠True,⁠—brother Toby , quoth my father, shaking hands with him,⁠—we’ll fill our pipes, brother, and then Trim shall go on. > > Well,⁠⸺⁠what dost thou think of it? said my father speaking to Corporal Trim , as he reached his tobacco-box. > > I think, answered the Corporal, that the seven watchmen upon the tower, who, I suppose, are all sentinels there,⁠—are more, an’ please your Honour, than were necessary;⁠—and, to go on at that rate, would harrass a regiment all to pieces, which a commanding officer, who

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