‘Nothing ever grows and nothing ever fades,’ said Lottie Stoke, ‘but always one eternal beautifulness; I should not like it if it were I. I should like to watch them budding, and pick off the first faded leaves.’
— from Neighbours on the Green by Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant

But when we see that the most virtuous, as well as the greatest, are not exempt from such misfortunes, that consideration moves pity in us, and insensibly works us to be helpful to, and tender over, the distressed; which is the noblest and most godlike of moral virtues, Here it is observable, that it is absolutely necessary to make a man virtuous, if we desire he should be pitied: we lament not, but detest, a wicked man; we are glad when we behold his crimes are punished, and that poetical justice is done upon him.
— from The Works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06 by John Dryden

"Boys and girls are never expelled from school except for very serious reasons.
— from Rosemary by Josephine Lawrence

They can often be purchased in stores that deal in second hand army supplies for much less and are just as good as new except for some slight stain or defect.
— from Outdoor Sports and Games by Claude Harris Miller