When knowledge is cut off from use in giving meaning to what is blind and baffling, it drops out of consciousness entirely or else becomes an object of aesthetic contemplation.
— from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey

upon their capital; and that whatever remained of their revenues and neat profits at home should be divided into four parts; three of them to be paid into the exchequer for the use of the public, and the fourth to be reserved as a fund, either for the further reduction of their bond-debts, or for the discharge of other contingent exigencies which the company might labour under.
— from An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

Atomic weights are of such fundamental importance that the various nations 78 interested in the pursuit of chemistry have consented to the establishment of an International Committee, which will take cognisance of the work done from time to time in this department of operative chemistry, examine and assess its value, and draw up an annual report on the subject.
— from History of Chemistry, Volume 2 (of 2) From 1850 to 1910 by T. E. (Thomas Edward) Thorpe

I wish you long life and prosperity individually, and pray that with the perpetuity of those institutions under which we have all so long lived and prospered, our happiness may be secured, our future made brilliant, and the glorious destiny of our country established forever.
— from The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln, Complete by Abraham Lincoln

If a tenant were evicted, he was to be compensated for disturbance, unless the eviction were for non-payment of rent, and even then the court might hold that the exorbitant amount demanded, or other circumstances, entitled him to special compensation.
— from A Short History of English Liberalism by W. Lyon (Walter Lyon) Blease

"Your indifference of a while ago seems to have given place to marvellous vehemence in the defence of our common enemy.
— from A Sheaf of Bluebells by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness

Of course I repelled the idea that honesty was so rare amongst American politicians as to have led them to invent a new word to represent such an unusual phenomenon as an honest voter; there is, I am sure, a better reason to be found, and I commend the word to the notice of English politicians; the principle it represents may be valuable if largely applied during our own coming elections.
— from Frank's Ranche; Or, My Holiday in the Rockies Being a Contribution to the Inquiry into What We Are to Do with Our Boys by E. (Edward) Marston

Now that they are discovered, I conceive no difference of opinion can exist as to the propriety of placing them in their true position. (15.)
— from The Glaciers of the Alps Being a narrative of excursions and ascents, an account of the origin and phenomena of glaciers and an exposition of the physical principles to which they are related by John Tyndall

NAPOLEON the First and Last , by the wrath of Heaven Emperor of the Jacobins, Protector of the Confederation of Rogues, Mediator of the Hellish League, Grand Cross of the Legion of Horror, Commander in Chief of the Legions of Skeletons left at 165 Moscow, Smolensk, Leipzig, &c. Head Runner of Runaways, Mock High-Priest of the Sanhedrim, Mock Prophet of Mussulmen, Mock Pillar of the Christian Faith, Inventor of the Syrian Method of disposing of his own sick by sleeping Draughts, or of captured enemies by the Bayonet; First Grave Digger for burying alive; Chief Gaoler of the Holy Father and of the King of Spain, Destroyer of Crowns, and Manufacturer of Counts, Dukes, Princes, and Kings; Chief Douanier of the Continental System, Head Butcher of the Parisian, and Toulouese, Massacres, Murderer of Hofer, Palm, Wright, nay of his own Prince, the noble and virtuous Duke of Enghien, and of a thousand others; Kidnapper of Ambassadors, High Admiral of the Invasion Praams, Cup Bearer of the Jaffa Poison, Arch Chancellor of Waste paper Treaties, Arch Treasurer of the Plunder of the World, the sanguinary 166 Coxcomb, Assassin, and Incendiary ... to MAKE PEACE WITH!!!
— from English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. Volume 2 (of 2) by John Ashton

Rebellious to all guidance, the young man had become one of the devouring offsprings of conquest, eager to despoil that Italy, that Rome, which his father seemed to have desired solely in order that he might pillage them and batten on them.
— from The Three Cities Trilogy: Rome, Volume 2 by Émile Zola

As Henry II. held a great many possessions which he had inherited through his father, grandfather, and his wife Eleanor, he was duke of one country, earl of a second, king of a third, and count of a fourth.
— from The Boys' Book of Famous Rulers by Lydia Hoyt Farmer