Hence the whole mass of the human race is condemned; for he who at first gave entrance to sin has been punished with all his posterity who were in him as in a root, so that no one is exempt from this just and due punishment, unless delivered by mercy and undeserved grace; and the human race is so apportioned that in some is displayed the efficacy of merciful grace, in the rest the efficacy of just retribution.
— from The City of God, Volume II by Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo

And of this kind I spoke as the intelligible...' so far as the thought contained in it admits of being translated into the terms of modern philosophy, may be described or explained as follows:—There is a truth, one and self-existent, to which by the help of a ladder let down from above, the human intelligence may ascend.
— from The Republic by Plato

His heavy head sank on to the book, he put his hands under his face to make it softer, and thought: “I serve in a pernicious institution and receive a salary from people whom I am deceiving.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of 233 Short Stories of Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

Hence for Aristotle as for Plato, the natural state or the state as such is the ideal state, and the ideal state is the starting-point of political inquiry.
— from Politics: A Treatise on Government by Aristotle

An overmastering force drove her on, and it seemed as though, if she had stopped, it would have pushed her in the back.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of 233 Short Stories of Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

“What can I say about the Italians,” she answered, “I know only one?
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova

I smiled, and then I said,— “Didst ever drink from the Giants’
— from Baron Trump's Marvellous Underground Journey by Ingersoll Lockwood

His eye perced, and so depe it wente, Til on Criseyde it smoot, and ther it stente.
— from Troilus and Criseyde by Geoffrey Chaucer

It is a disease in a state like to infection; for as infection spreadeth upon that which is sound, and tainteth it, so, when envy is gotten once into a state, it traduceth even the best actions thereof, and turneth them into an ill odor; and therefore there is little won by intermingling of plausible actions; for that doth argue but a weakness and fear of envy, 94 which hurteth so much the more, as it is likewise usual in infections, which, if you fear them, you call them upon you.
— from Bacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the Ancients by Francis Bacon

When I say a thing is so , or say it is not so , what evidence has the reader that it is proved or demonstrated?
— from Mysteries of Bee-keeping Explained by M. (Moses) Quinby

But why I call back man and house again Is that now on a beech-tree's tip I see As then I saw—I at the gate, and he In the house darkness,—a magpie veering about, A magpie like a weathercock in doubt.
— from Last Poems by Edward Thomas

the body being no longer of a uniform density, the centre of gravity is removed from the middle of the body to some point in or near the lead, as that substance is much heavier than wood; now you may observe that should this cylinder roll down the plane, as it is here situated, the centre of gravity must rise, which is impossible; the centre of gravity must always descend in moving, and will descend by the nearest and readiest means, which will be by forcing the cylinder up the slope, until the centre of gravity is supported, and then it stops.
— from Conversations on Natural Philosophy, in which the Elements of that Science are Familiarly Explained by Mrs. (Jane Haldimand) Marcet

I have already said that the Turks have a sense of humour, but to this statement I should add that it sometimes manifests itself in a perverted form.
— from Secrets of the Bosphorus by Henry Morgenthau

"Thou hast my confidence," interrupted Salisbury, "and though I seem to treat lightly thy suspicions they will be most carefully heeded should occasion arise.
— from The Fifth of November A Romance of the Stuarts by Charles S. Bentley

You appear to think that that'll have to be tried the day after tomorrow, but you ought to know by now that when I say a thing is so, it's so—every time.
— from Gulmore, The Boss by Frank Harris

It is so awkward that it should have happened just now.
— from A Beautiful Possibility by Edith Ferguson Black

For a year or two—that is, until he reaches an age susceptible of tuition—I shall mature a scheme of discipline, which—" "My dear sir," the Doctor interposed, "surely all this is somewhat precipitate."
— from The Blue Pavilions by Arthur Quiller-Couch

Three Indian envoys have I sent already: the infidel slew them all."
— from The Infidel; or, the Fall of Mexico. Vol. I. by Robert Montgomery Bird