Little would be gained by a long list of instances of such differences, because the most careful and systematic investigations clearly show that in early times no definite rules whatever existed as to the assumption of differences, which largely depended upon the pleasure of the bearer, and no system can be deduced which can be used to decide that the appearance of any given difference or kind of difference meant a given set of circumstances.
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies

The fallacy consists in supposing that we can begin with ready-made subject matter of arithmetic, or geography, or whatever, irrespective of some direct personal experience of a situation.
— from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey

Every kind of sickness is attributed to the influence of some demon, with whom a magician can communicate, and discover a means of liberation.
— from Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. 7 of 7 by Edgar Thurston

So if the back be humped, the man is deformed; because his back has an unusual figure, and what carries with it the idea of some disease or misfortune; So if a man's neck be considerably longer or shorter than usual, we say he is deformed in that part, because men are not commonly made in that manner.
— from The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 01 (of 12) by Edmund Burke

Emily, extremely surprised and shocked, had scarcely power to beg an explanation of these words, and, when she did, her aunt absolutely refused to give it, though, by her severe looks, and half sentences, she appeared anxious to impress Emily with a belief, that she was well informed of some degrading circumstances of her conduct.
— from The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Ward Radcliffe

The most innocent walk deprives of life thousands of poor insects: one step destroys the fabric of the industrious ant, and converts a little world into chaos.
— from The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We have therefore no idea of substance, distinct from that of a collection of particular qualities, nor have we any other meaning when we either talk or reason concerning it.
— from A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume

It must in the first place, be acknowledged that the taste for ideal beauty, and the pleasure derived from the expression of it, are never so intense or so diffused amongst a democratic as amongst an aristocratic people.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 2 by Alexis de Tocqueville

But Eugénie, instead of stooping, drew herself up under the blow.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo, Illustrated by Alexandre Dumas

There was an instant of silence during which the Wickasaw players observed the captain of the rival team as though they thought he had gone suddenly insane.
— from Four in Camp: A Story of Summer Adventures in the New Hampshire Woods by Ralph Henry Barbour

But at length the city of Quebec, with its green glacis and frowning battlements, was left behind, and we drove through flat country abounding in old stone dwelling-houses, old farms, and large fields of stubble.
— from The Englishwoman in America by Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy) Bird

Instead of sitting down to crack nuts and wait, as most boys would, Ulysses said to himself, "I was sent to bring these logs, and bring them I must, men or no men," and so by some ingenious mechanical arrangements, he succeeded in getting them on to the cart alone, and drove home with them quietly, as if it were a matter of course.
— from Men of Our Times; Or, Leading Patriots of the Day Being narratives of the lives and deeds of statesmen, generals, and orators. Including biographical sketches and anecdotes of Lincoln, Grant, Garrison, Sumner, Chase, Wilson, Greeley, Farragut, Andrew, Colfax, Stanton, Douglass, Buckingham, Sherman, Sheridan, Howard, Phillips and Beecher. by Harriet Beecher Stowe

C. Footnote 1: From Seneca on Providence : " De Providentiâ , sive Quare Bonis Viris Mala Accidant cum sit Providentia' § 2, 'Ecce spectaculum dignum, ad quod respiciat intentus operi suo Deus: ecce par Deo dignum, vir fortis cum malâ fortunâ compositus, utique si et provocavit."
— from The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 With Translations and Index for the Series by Steele, Richard, Sir

but, instead of so doing, he told Hoolagoo not to regard them, assuring him that the conjunction of the stars announced the downfall of the Ismaïlites, and that the sun of their power was hastening to its setting.
— from Secret Societies of the Middle Ages by Thomas Keightley

[196] his financial embarrassments caused by the loan raised by him in the name of his community by fleeing from his creditors to the Spanish portion of the Isle of St. Domingo.
— from Montreal, 1535-1914. Vol. 1. Under the French Régime, 1535-1760 by William H. (William Henry) Atherton

The island is called Isle Ronde by the French, and is of small dimensions, although it has a rocky basis and affords sugar maple and other trees of the hard wood species.
— from The Indian in his Wigwam; Or, Characteristics of the Red Race of America From Original Notes and Manuscripts by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft

[19] In ordinary speech Development is often used as synonymous with Growth.
— from The Principles of Biology, Volume 1 (of 2) by Herbert Spencer

"Fool!" thought the Fire-drum; but it only said, "Dub, dub, dub, rub-a-dub!" He was a boy full of life and gladness, this drummer's son with the red hair.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. (Hans Christian) Andersen