Eloquence is like flame: it requires matter to 40 feed on, motion to excite it, and it brightens as it burns.
— from Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources Including Phrases, Mottoes, Maxims, Proverbs, Definitions, Aphorisms, and Sayings of Wise Men, in Their Bearing on Life, Literature, Speculation, Science, Art, Religion, and Morals, Especially in the Modern Aspects of Them by Wood, James, Rev.

No doubt this great regularity of American morals originates partly in the country, in the race of the people, and in their religion: but all these causes, which operate elsewhere, do not suffice to account for it; recourse must be had to some special reason.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 2 by Alexis de Tocqueville

(You must above all exercise philanthropy, for from it result many other blessings, and moreover that choicest and greatest blessing of all, the good will of the gods.
— from The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 2 by Emperor of Rome Julian

Where sufficient pains to locate the difficulty are not taken, suggestions for its resolution must be more or less random.
— from How We Think by John Dewey

No doubt at present the direction of the flames is regarded merely as an augury of the weather, not as a mode of influencing it.
— from The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion by James George Frazer

‘Why the fact is,’ replied Mr. Winkle, looking at his blushing young wife, ‘that I could not persuade Bella to run away, for a long time.
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

There were large trees in small pots, so that they stood so stunted in growth, and ready to burst the pots; in other places, there was a little dull flower in rich mould, with moss round about it, and it was so petted and nursed.
— from Andersen's Fairy Tales by H. C. (Hans Christian) Andersen

With the change of wind came a change of weather, and in two hours the wind moderated into the light steady breeze, which blows down the coast the greater part of the year, and, from its regularity, might be called a trade-wind.
— from Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana

IX "Into my house come bold and free, Its rightful mistress there to be."
— from White Nights and Other Stories The Novels of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Volume X by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

This alliance, since it is persuaded by reason, and not by passion, can have science alone for its real mover.
— from Essays in Rationalism by Charles Robert Newman

It will be noted, also, that the financial information refers more especially to the firm members.
— from Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 01 (of 10) by American School of Correspondence

This probably accounts for its really meaning marriage, and nothing else:— [578] W ANTED immediately a young LADY of the following description (as a wife) with about 2000 dollars as a patrimony: Sweet temper, spend little, be a good housewife and born in America; and as I am not more than 25 years of age I hope it will not be difficult to find a good wife.
— from A History of Advertising from the Earliest Times. by Henry Sampson

In Ijurra’s face I read more: he knew my secret !
— from The War Trail: The Hunt of the Wild Horse by Mayne Reid

The Association has conducted five international revolver matches, all of which were won by the United States.
— from Pistol and Revolver Shooting by A. L. A. (Abraham Lincoln Artman) Himmelwright

At this mild persuasive every upraised sword dropped before him, and Wallace, turning his horse into the path which led toward Stirling, his men, with a silent determination to share the fate of their master, fell into regular marching order, and followed him.
— from The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter

I give you your freedom; I receive mine—and that is all.
— from Light-Fingered Gentry by David Graham Phillips

The briers and cane were thick, and, as I could not raise my hands to protect my face, I received more than one blow and scratch that brought the tears to my eyes.
— from Our Fellows; Or, Skirmishes with the Swamp Dragoons by Harry Castlemon