I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in...

Who said "I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in... "?

"I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in... " is one of a famous quotes by Laurence Sterne. Complete quote is as follows;
"I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in a single cottage, on the top of a mountain, a mile from any habitation? He replied, that Providence was his next-door neighbor."

What is "I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in... "?

"I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in a single cottage, on the top of a mountain, a mile from any habitation? He replied, that Providence was his next-door neighbor." This is a quote by Laurence Sterne which is about . He is known to have been associated with numerous other thought provoking quotes on these topics like;

• What is the worst of woes that wait on age? What stamps the wrinkle deeper on the brow? To view each loved one blotted from life's page, And be alone on earth, as I am now.

What does "I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in... " mean?

This quote is primarily about alone although it also includes other themes like . It is attributed to Laurence Sterne. Complete quote is as follows;
"I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in a single cottage, on the top of a mountain, a mile from any habitation? He replied, that Providence was his next-door neighbor."