The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

Is it not a shame to make two chapters of what passed in going down one pair of stairs? for we are got no farther yet than to the first landing, and there are fifteen more steps down to the bottom; and for aught I know, as my father and my uncle Toby are in a talking humour, there may be as many chapters as steps: -- -- -let that be as it will, Sir, I can no more help it than my destiny: -- A sudden impulse comes across me -- -- -drop the curtain, Shandy -- -- -I drop it -- Strike a line here across the paper, Tristram -- I strike it -- and hey for a new chapter.

The deuce of any other rule have I to govern myself by in this affair -- and if I had one -- as I do all things out of all rule -- I would twist it and tear it to pieces, and throw it into the fire when I had done -- Am I warm? I am, and the cause demands it -- -- -a pretty story! is a man to follow rules -- -- -- or rules to follow him?