C H A P. LXXXI W E live in a world beset on all sides with mysteries and riddles—and so ’tis no matter——else it seems strange, that Nature, who makes every thing so well to answer its destination, and seldom or never errs, unless for pastime, in giving such forms and aptitudes to whatever passes through her hands, that whether she designs for the plough, the caravan, the cart—or whatever other creature she models, be it but an asse’s 225 foal, you are sure to have the thing you wanted; and yet at the same time should so eternally bungle it as she does, in making so simple a thing as a married man.
— from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne

We live in a world beset on all sides with mysteries and riddles—and so 'tis no matter—else it seems strange, that Nature, who makes every thing so well to answer its destination, and seldom or never errs, unless for pastime, in giving such forms and aptitudes to whatever passes through her hands, that whether she designs for the plough, the caravan, the cart—or whatever other creature she models, be it but an asse's foal, you are sure to have the thing you wanted; and yet at the same time should so eternally bungle it as she does, in making so simple a thing as a married man.
— from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne

To the end that even sleep itself should not so stupidly escape from me, I have formerly caused myself to be disturbed in my sleep, so that I might the better and more sensibly relish and taste it.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne

We rushed on to the final crisis with mutual cries of agonised delight; indeed, mamma squealed so loud that I afterwards thought she must have been heard.
— from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous

'Tis honour to deprive dishonour'd life; The one will live, the other being dead: So of shame's ashes shall my fame be bred; For in my death I murther shameful scorn: My shame so dead, mine honour is new-born.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

Now as I slept I dreamed that Penfeather's long rapier, standing in the dark corner close by, was stealthily endeavouring to free itself from its leathern scabbard with intent to skewer me to the floor as I lay; and, striving thus to draw itself, made soft, strange noises and rustlings insomuch that I presently woke, and staring motionless into the darkness above, knew that these sounds were real.
— from Black Bartlemy's Treasure by Jeffery Farnol

I was hauled out of bed, and forced on deck in my shirt, suffering great pain from the tightness with which they had tied my hands.
— from A Narrative Of The Mutiny, On Board His Majesty's Ship Bounty; And The Subsequent Voyage Of Part Of The Crew, In The Ship's Boat by William Bligh

In undertaking the responsibility for the publication of this "Diary," I may simply state that the proceeds will be given towards the support of the Orphanage at Bethulie.
— from Woman's Endurance by A. D. (August D.) Luckhoff

'I daresay I might,' she said.
— from The Carved Cupboard by Amy Le Feuvre

For he dwelt outby on the moor: And every day the distance irked More sorely still his poor, old bones; And all the road seemed strewn with stones To trip you up, when you were old--
— from Fires - Book 1: The Stone, and Other Tales by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson