An army is reduced to the defensive only by reverses or by a positive inferiority.
— from The Art of War by Jomini, Antoine Henri, baron de

But in candour it should be stated, that the only instances were caused by the desire of being revenged on the immediate superiors of the vassals.
— from Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, v. 1 of 3 or the Central and Western Rajput States of India by James Tod

I overtook General Howard at Falling-Creek Church, and found his column well drawn out, by reason of the bad roads.
— from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. (William Tecumseh) Sherman

The story-teller who willfully tempts fate by such obvious beginnings, who is to the expectant reader in danger of being robbed or half-murdered, or frightened by an escaped lunatic, or introduced to his lady-love for the first time, deserves to be detected.
— from The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Tales With Condensed Novels, Spanish and American Legends, and Earlier Papers by Bret Harte

In doing so he was knocked down, his papers were scattered, and he was himself in imminent danger of being run over, as the driver did not notice the accident in time to pull up.
— from Little Folks (September 1884) A Magazine for the Young by Various

I excused myself and dropped to the rear of the procession, sad at heart, willing to go hence from this troubled life, this vale of tears, this brief day of broken rest, of cloud and storm, of weary struggle and monotonous defeat; and yet shrinking from the change, as remembering how long eternity is, and how many have wended thither who know that anecdote.
— from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain

it would form an important element in an epic based on the historical Odin,—that a desire of being revenged on the Romans was one of the ruling principles of Odin’s whole conduct.
— from The Younger Edda; Also called Snorre's Edda, or The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson

CHAPTER L I long to be revenged on Melinda—apply to Banter for his Assistance—he contrives a scheme for that purpose—which is put in Execution with great Success—I make an Attempt upon the Heart of Miss Gripewell, but am disappointed—grow melancholy at my Disappointment, and have recourse to the Bottle—receive a Billet-doux—am ravished with the Contents—find myself involved in Intrigue, which I imagined would make my Fortune—am confounded at my mistake, which banishes all Thoughts of Matrimony In the meantime, my attention was wholly engrossed in search of another mistress, and the desire of being revenged on Melinda, in both which schemes I was very much assisted by Billy Chatter, who was such a necessary creature among the ladies, that in all private dances he engaged the men.
— from The Adventures of Roderick Random by T. (Tobias) Smollett

The Demons of Blackwater River One day the Master suddenly exclaimed: “What is that noise?”
— from Myths and Legends of China by E. T. C. (Edward Theodore Chalmers) Werner

Fame had it also that Modest Ann remained after her defeat only by reason of an attachment, held by most to be hopeless, to the head ostler.
— from Starvecrow Farm by Stanley John Weyman

The University of Heidelberg renewed its diploma of Doctor Philosophiæ Naturalis, and accompanied it by an address from the Grand Duke of Baden, Rector of the University, the Pro-Rector, Senior Dean, and the other professors of the Philosophical Faculty.
— from The Right Honourable Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe P.C., D.C.L., F.R.S. A Biographical Sketch by T. E. (Thomas Edward) Thorpe

To some that offer is made in youth, or by the preaching of the Gospel, or by providential dispensations, or by revivals of religion occurring in their neighbourhood.
— from The Religious Life of London by J. Ewing (James Ewing) Ritchie

and upon oure lady day the Annunciacion anno d’n’i mill’mo cccc mo xxvij, the bysshop of Wynchestre was made cardynall in seynt Marye chirche of Caleys ful solempnely, where were the same time the duke of Bedford regent of Fraunce and his duchesse; The cardynall haat.
— from A Chronicle of London from 1089 to 1483 Written in the Fifteenth Century, and for the First Time Printed from MSS. in the British Museum by Anonymous

When Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, heard at Arras, that Charles VI. was dead, it occurred to him immediately that if he attended the obsequies of the English King of France he would be obliged, French prince as he was, and cousin-german of Charles VI., to yield precedence to John, Duke of Bedford, regent of France, and uncle of the new king, Henry VI.
— from A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3 by François Guizot

True, his soldiers have joined the rebels, but who can hold him responsible, and why should he expose himself to the danger of being refused obedience should he demand it of them?
— from Mohammed Ali and His House by L. (Luise) Mühlbach

At midday the General sailed for South Africa, but his orders were that [5] I should follow by next ship; so, after seeing him off, I had several days in which to kick my heels and live in constant dread of being run over, or otherwise prevented from going after all.
— from The Matabele Campaign Being a Narrative of the Campaign in Suppressing the Native Rising in Matabeleland and Mashonaland, 1896 by Baden-Powell of Gilwell, Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, Baron