In his new book, How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One, Stanley Fish offers up some of the most exquisite sentences in the English language. He describes how he carries sentences around with him “as others might carry a precious gem or a fine Swiss watch.” Here are five of his favorites: Now he had not run far from his own door, but his wife and children perceiving it, began crying after him to return, but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! Life! eternal life. —Paul Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her appearance for the worse. —Jonathan Swift, A…