How we cite our quotes:
Quote #10
Now, of all things in the world, I understand the least of mechanism—I have neither genius, or taste, or fancy—and have a brain so entirely unapt for every thing of that kind, that I solemnly declare I was never yet able to comprehend the principles of motion of a squirrel cage, or a common knife-grinder's wheel (7. 30.3)
Unlike Mr. Shandy, Tristram claims that he doesn't know anything about science (although, well, he actually does—since he has to write everything that Mr. Shandy says). The implication, though, seems to be that he knows a lot about other kinds of motion—human motion. He may not understand a knife-grinder's wheel, but he can analyze the heck out of human character.