The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

When I reflect, brother Toby, upon man; and take a view of that dark side of him which represents his life as open to so many causes of trouble -- when I consider, brother Toby, how oft we eat the bread of affliction, and that we are born to it, as to the portion of our inheritance -- -- -- I was born to nothing, quoth my uncle Toby, interrupting my father -- but my commission. Zooks! said my father, did not my uncle leave you a hundred and twenty pounds a year? -- -- -- What could I have done without it? replied my uncle Toby -- -- -- That's another concern, said my father testily -- But I say, Toby, when one runs over the catalogue of all the cross-reckonings and sorrowful Items with which the heart of man is overcharged, 'tis wonderful by what hidden resources the mind is enabled to stand out, and bear itself up, as it does, against the impositions laid upon our nature.

-- -- -- 'Tis by the assistance of Almighty God, cried my uncle Toby, looking up, and pressing the palms of his hands close together -- -- 'tis not from our own strength, brother Shandy -- -- -a sentinel in a wooden centry-box might as well pretend to stand it out against a detachment of fifty men.