6. a man may be said to have attained so far forth the use of reason, as sufficeth to make him capable of those laws whereby he is then bound to guide his actions: this is a great deal more easy for sense to discern, than for any one by skill and learning to determine.
— from Second Treatise of Government by John Locke

I go not now to the circus to see a dog coursing a hare; but in the field, if passing, that coursing peradventure will distract me even from some weighty thought, and draw me after it: not that I turn aside the body of my beast, yet still incline my mind thither.
— from The Confessions of St. Augustine by Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo

MEMORANDUM OF PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO INSTRUCTIONS OF ABOVE DATE MILITARY EMANCIPATION FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL McCLELLAN.
— from The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln, Complete by Abraham Lincoln

Agnes now began to gather sea-weed and pebbles, and she had soon collected a large quantity of both to put in her basket, which she had placed on the beach while she filled it; this she did most effectively, for several times when it appeared full she contrived by dint of shaking and pressing to make it hold a little more.
— from Glimpses of Nature, and Objects of Interest Described, During a Visit to the Isle of Wight Designed to Assist and Encourage Young Persons in Forming Habits of Observation by Mrs. (Jane) Loudon

She could but lie still and hear the pros and cons respecting a design of cross intertwined with lilies, which design Miss Emily, for some inscrutable reason, seemed to consider appropriate only to the Church of Rome.
— from The Tree of Knowledge: A Novel by Reynolds, Baillie, Mrs.

That the arrangements for landing were in every detail perfect could not be doubted, but owing to the narrow channel of the Ouse time was necessary, and it is considered probable that fully three days must elapse from Sunday before the Germans are absolutely established.
— from The Invasion of 1910, with a full account of the siege of London by William Le Queux

By this device, Marcolf escapes from Solomon's hands, returns home, and passes the rest of his days in peace.
— from The Book of Delight and Other Papers by Israel Abrahams

I too had followed the great strategist through that State, although in a very different capacity; it having been my lot to drop into the rear of his conquering legions during my escape from Southern prisons.
— from Ocean to Ocean on Horseback Being the Story of a Tour in the Saddle from the Atlantic to the Pacific; with Especial Reference to the Early History and Development of Cities and Towns Along the Route; and Regions Traversed Beyond the Mississippi; Together with Incidents, Anecdotes and Adventures of the Journey by Willard W. Glazier

An idea had been, by the process which God himself instituted, originated in their mind, that death must ensue for sin; but by transferring their sins to the head of the sacrifice, it died as a vicarious expiation, and they lived.
— from Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation: A Book for the Times by James B. (James Barr) Walker

"Here," he adds, "description must ever fall short, for no imagination has dared to form an idea of so glorious and so magnificent a scene.
— from Etna: A History of the Mountain and of its Eruptions by G. F. (George Farrer) Rodwell

We have often watched them, and they are beautiful to contemplate particularly at night, and in Kingstown Harbour, near Dublin, many exceedingly fine specimens have been obtained.
— from Popular Scientific Recreations in Natural Philosphy, Astronomy, Geology, Chemistry, etc., etc., etc. by Gaston Tissandier