And further might have gone his vaunt; But, darting down, the cat Convinced him that a rat Is smaller than an elephant. XVI .--THE
— from Fables of La Fontaine — a New Edition, with Notes by Jean de La Fontaine

After reading it several times aloud, one perceives that a good deal of matter is crowded into that small space.
— from What Is Man? and Other Essays by Mark Twain

And certain angels that are round it show that, although he still had the Greek manner, he was going on approaching in part to the line and method of the modern.
— from Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 01 (of 10) Cimabue to Agnolo Gaddi by Giorgio Vasari

So I found I had shewn her my letter to very little purpose, and repented it several times, as she read on.—Well, then, said I, I hope your ladyship will give me leave to send my excuses to your good brother, and say, that your ladyship is come, and is so fond of me, that you will not let me leave you.—Pretty creature, said she; and wantest thou thy good master to come, and quarrel with his sister on thy
— from Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson

Therefore, putting on one side imaginary things concerning a prince, and discussing those which are real, I say that all men when they are spoken of, and chiefly princes for being more highly placed, are remarkable for some of those qualities which bring them either blame or praise; and thus it is that one is reputed liberal, another miserly, using a Tuscan term (because an avaricious person in our language is still he who desires to possess by robbery, whilst we call one miserly who deprives himself too much of the use of his own); one is reputed generous, one rapacious; one cruel, one compassionate; one faithless, another faithful; one effeminate and cowardly, another bold and brave;
— from The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

That it is true his other virtues would not have been sufficient for him may be proved by the case of Scipio, that most excellent man, not only of his own times but within the memory of man, against whom, nevertheless, his army rebelled in Spain; this arose from nothing but his too great forbearance, which gave his soldiers more license than is consistent with military discipline.
— from The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

Its left lobe lies directly under the middle of the line of incision which the lithotomist makes through the surface; a fibrous membrane forms a capsule for the gland, and renders its surface tough and unyielding, but its proper substance is friable, and may be lacerated or dilated with ease, after having partly incised its fibrous envelope.
— from Surgical Anatomy by Joseph Maclise

And may be turned again, In Tythoni Cicadas, aut Lyciorum ranas , for any reward I see they are like to have: or else in the mean time, I would they could live, as they did, without any viaticum, like so many
— from The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton

They had carefully nailed the blind of this dressing-room, so that not even a chance puff of wind could blow it aside and reveal its secret to anyone in the flats on the opposite storey or higher.
— from The Albert Gate Mystery Being Further Adventures of Reginald Brett, Barrister Detective by Louis Tracy

Having gained her saddle, the lady should take hold of her habit with her right hand, close to the knee, and raise it sufficiently to allow of the right knee dropping well home into the crutch, and keeping it there, as far as she possibly can, immovable.
— from Graceful Riding: A Pocket Manual for Equestrians by Samuel C. Wayte

When I came near the carcase, I saw a regular inquest sitting there, a dozen vultures at least, most of them gorged to repletion, while others were fighting for bits of the skin.
— from Sporting Scenes amongst the Kaffirs of South Africa by Alfred W. (Alfred Wilks) Drayson

Yes, you are right in saying that a man like you never before asked me to marry him.
— from A Virginia Cousin, & Bar Harbor Tales by Harrison, Burton, Mrs.

To speak in the spirit of the ancient religion, it seems that a beneficent Providence wished in this individual to evince to the human race the dignity and blessedness of its lot, by endowing him with every divine gift, with all that can adorn and elevate the mind and the heart, and crowning him with every imaginable blessing of this life.
— from Lectures on Dramatic Art and Literature by August Wilhelm von Schlegel

Perhaps, at any rate, I am right in saying that all men greatly need pains and care, and you and I above all men.
— from Alcibiades I by Plato (spurious and doubtful works)

"I hope, at any rate," I said, turning away, "that we have seen the last of him."
— from The Lost Ambassador; Or, The Search For The Missing Delora by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim