We cannot at present pursue this subject further than to observe that from this negative intention are to be deduced all the advantages and all the stronger forms of combat which are on the side of the Defensive, and in which that philosophical-dynamic law which exists between the greatness and the certainty of success is realised.
— from On War — Volume 1 by Carl von Clausewitz

“Mrs. Harmon Andrews prize pig that she talked so much of died in a fit.
— from Anne of the Island by L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery

A public is, in fact, organized on the basis of a universe of discourse, and within the limits of this universe of discourse, language, statements of fact, news will have, for all practical purposes, the same meanings.
— from Introduction to the Science of Sociology by E. W. (Ernest Watson) Burgess

Is it the inner nucleus of my spiritual self, that collection of obscurely felt 'adjustments,' plus perhaps that still more obscurely perceived subjectivity as such, of which we recently spoke?
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James

The springtime is a provisional paradise, the sun helps man to have patience.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Truth is compared in Scripture to a streaming fountain; if her waters flow not in a perpetual progression, they sicken into a muddy pool of conformity and tradition.
— from Areopagitica A Speech for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing to the Parliament of England by John Milton

Here is another to the memory of a once famous Yorkshire actor, buried at Beverley:— “In memory of Samuel Butler, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more.
— from English Villages by P. H. (Peter Hampson) Ditchfield

This Perrotet, who was one of the best men in the world, received me very kindly, and after having heard my feigned story and profession, promised to speak of me, and endeavored to procure me scholars, saying he should not expect any money till I had earned it.
— from The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player, / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, /
— from Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources Including Phrases, Mottoes, Maxims, Proverbs, Definitions, Aphorisms, and Sayings of Wise Men, in Their Bearing on Life, Literature, Speculation, Science, Art, Religion, and Morals, Especially in the Modern Aspects of Them by Wood, James, Rev.

As soon as he has taken Shreveport, or as soon as he can spare you, return to Vicksburg with all dispatch, gather up your detachments, wagons, tents, transportation, and all property pertaining to so much of the command as belongs to the Sixteenth Army Corps, and conduct it to Memphis, where orders will await you.
— from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. (William Tecumseh) Sherman

Jim, for instance, had a rooted detestation of every living thing he came across on the shore, and promptly proceeded to squash it with his bare foot or to pound it into jelly with his prehistoric club.
— from The Coil of Carne by John Oxenham

Rhubarb, in coarse powder, 2; coriander fruit, in powder, 2; refined sugar, 24; rectified spirit, 8; distilled water, 24; mix the rhubarb and coriander, pack them in a percolator, pass the spirit and water, previously mixed, slowly through them, evaporate the liquid that has passed until it is reduced to 13, and in this, after it has been filtered, dissolve the sugar with a gentle heat.—
— from Cooley's Cyclopædia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume II by Richard Vine Tuson

And now that he was back in California, why did he ignore her completely, and never send so much as a picture postal to show that he gave her a thought now and then?
— from Rim o' the World by B. M. Bower

Gertrude turned towards the door, which fronted the fire-place, and as she did so the song ceased, the curtain was pushed aside, and a person, presumably the singer, came into the room.
— from The Romance of a Shop by Amy Levy

‘Fifteen’ is still a favorite number, the number with which the class was organized in 1878, the number that graduated, and the number that are at present pursuing the special course.”
— from The Chautauquan, Vol. 04, January 1884 A Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Promotion of True Culture. Organ of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. by Chautauqua Institution

[25] I have shown why I think it improbable that a postulated prehistoric tribe split itself up, for no alleged reason, at the suggestion of a medicine man.
— from The Secret of the Totem by Andrew Lang

This is a vast arid plain, producing the species of rush from which cords are made, and which are exported to all parts, but particularly to Italy.
— from The Geography of Strabo, Volume 1 (of 3) Literally Translated, with Notes by Strabo

She was a buisy gerl, driveing her Shettling pones from hous too hous and carying lillies, raisens, robbins, rabits, [7] aggs and menny other plesent an prety presants two sutch as wer in nead.
— from The Pansy Magazine, Vol. 15, Dec. 1887 by Various