Again, though we esteem candour and scrupulous sincerity in most persons, we scarcely look for them in a diplomatist who has to conceal secrets, nor do we expect that a tradesman in describing his goods should frankly point out their defects to his customers.
— from The Methods of Ethics by Henry Sidgwick

And His goodness in bringing to my hand so many comfortable and suitable scriptures in my distress.
— from Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson by Mary White Rowlandson

(1) Under General Conditions (a) Simple sabotage is more than malicious mischief, and it should always consist of acts whose results will be detrimental to the materials and manpower of the enemy.
— from Simple Sabotage Field Manual by United States. Office of Strategic Services

She is great with child, and she says I must be godfather, but I do not intend it.
— from The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete by Samuel Pepys

[43] Thurlow was a man of low intellect, of a fierce countenance, a saucy, swaggering, insolent manner, debauched in his morals beyond the grossness of that indecent age,—ostentatiously living in public concubinage,—a notorious swearer in public and private.
— from The Trial of Theodore Parker For the "Misdemeanor" of a Speech in Faneuil Hall against Kidnapping, before the Circuit Court of the United States, at Boston, April 3, 1855, with the Defence by Theodore Parker

This pool has limpid water, and there deep the lotus grows; Its little leaves are round as coins, and only yet half-blown; Going to the jutting verge, near a clear and shallow spot, I mark my present looks, try how of late my face appears.
— from The Chautauquan, Vol. 03, June 1883 by Chautauqua Institution

Imagine my surprise when, at the next street corner (Collins and Spring Streets), I met a lady with a Lyre Bird's tail stuck through her head-dress.
— from An Australian Bird Book: A Pocket Book for Field Use by John Albert Leach

When the sciences are rightly arranged, there is but one order in the mother sciences; if we are to choose a single science, it must be (with some qualifications) the first; if two, the first and second, and so on.
— from Practical Essays by Alexander Bain

Mrs. Bevan curtseyed as she stood in mute astonishment behind her lady's sofa.
— from The Manoeuvring Mother (vol. 3 of 3) by Bury, Charlotte Campbell, Lady

The number of close air support sorties in March almost doubled the amount flown the previous month.
— from The Battle for Khe Sanh by Moyers S. Shore

Before the cross was placed a large iron chest to receive the money; specimens of these chests are still shown in many places.
— from Life of Luther by Julius Köstlin

I was received with great kindness and volubility by the immense hostess, "la grosse Américaine," as she was called, and she soon installed me in the arm-chair, in the warmest corner, and in due time set an excellent supper before us.
— from Wau-Bun: The Early Day in the Northwest by Kinzie, John H., Mrs.

The different products of this class are so similar in many respects that it is often difficult and sometimes impossible for the expert to differentiate.
— from The Practical Book of Oriental Rugs by G. Griffin (George Griffin) Lewis

Maria Rubens was a good Catholic; and she succeeded in making the authorities believe that her husband had been, too, for the home that Royalty had confiscated was returned to her.
— from Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 04 Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent Painters by Elbert Hubbard