First we may inquire: is it possible for a man whose work has so tremendous a significance in the spiritual development of mankind--and I do not think anyone nowadays doubts that a work of art is the sole stabilizing force that exists for life--is it possible for a man who stands so grandly at head of an immense stream of liberating effort to write an immoral work?
— from Lysistrata by Aristophanes

But it is ridiculous to condemn the faults of beasts and trees, and other such mortal and mutable things as are void of intelligence, sensation, or life, even though these faults should destroy their corruptible nature; for these creatures received, at their Creator's will, an existence fitting them, by passing away and giving place to others, to secure that lowest form of beauty, the beauty of seasons, which in its own place is a requisite part of this world.
— from The City of God, Volume I by Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo

But as I said, On Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen; That shall she, marry; I remember it well.
— from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Luther is still our last event; our last book is still the Bible.
— from The Genealogy of Morals The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy. by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

At last it saluted our longing eyes, and kind Providence accompanied its approach with what was no small comfort to us; for the dreadful swell began to subside; and the next thing that we discovered to raise our drooping spirits, was a small key or island, about five or six miles off; but a barrier soon presented itself; for there was not water enough for our boat to go over the reefs, and this threw us again into a sad consternation; but there was no alternative, we were therefore obliged to put but few in the boat at once; and, what is still worse, all of us were frequently under the necessity of getting out to drag and lift it over the reefs.
— from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African Written By Himself by Olaudah Equiano

I returned to Padua, where I stopped only long enough to take my ring and to dine with M. de Bragadin, who went back to Venice a few days afterwards.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova

I hold it cowardice To rest mistrustful where a noble heart Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love; Else might I think that Clarence, Edward's brother, Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

But, as I said, On Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen; That shall she, marry; I remember it well.
— from The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Then these houses are built high in order to exclude the burning sun from the alleys, and a cold, humid feeling pervades the entire network of streets; so that what with the gloom, the twistings, and the treacherous pitfalls in dark corners, one feels like Orpheus going down to Hades in search of lost Eurydice.
— from A Creature of the Night: An Italian Enigma by Fergus Hume

The burro was not interested in scenery or light effects.
— from Bloom of Cactus by Robert Ames Bennet

After this, with a wince and groan at every step, he slowly hobbled off up the street, losing his lameness, and converting his groans into snickers of low, exulting laughter, as soon as he was out of eye-shot of the company he had left behind him.
— from The Rangers; or, The Tory's Daughter A Tale Illustrative of the Revolutionary History of Vermont and the Northern Campaign of 1777 by Daniel P. (Daniel Pierce) Thompson

However, in spite of lengthy efforts in the United Nations, agreement has not been reached on how to launch a process of Global Negotiations in which nations might collectively work to solve such important issues as energy, food, protectionism, and population pressures.
— from State of the Union Addresses by Jimmy Carter

The most fertile cause of insanity lies in the inheritance; by this it must not be understood that insane parents produce insane offsprings, but that conditions inherited from immediate or remote ancestors appear in a diminished resistance of the nervous system which is sooner or later expressed as insanity.
— from Disease and Its Causes by W. T. (William Thomas) Councilman

" "I shall not repeat to you one of the same, old, time-worn tales of how slick hoboes beat trains, nor fabled romance concerning harmless wanderlusters, nor jokes at the expense of the poor but honest man in search of legitimate employment, but I shall relate to you a rarely strange story that will stir your hearts to their innermost depths and will cause you to shudder at the villainy of certain human beings, who, like vultures seeking carrion, hunt for other people's sons with the intention of turning them into tramps, beggars, drunkards and criminals—into despised outcasts.
— from The Trail of the Tramp By A-No. 1, the Famous Tramp, Written by Himself from Actual Experiences of His Own Life by A-No. 1

‘That is just what I say,’ observed Lady Elizabeth.
— from Heartsease; Or, The Brother's Wife by Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary) Yonge

In that contest Mr. Blake took an active part in support of Lord Elgin, who was so outrageously treated by the Opposition leaders in Parliament, and by the mob of Montreal that followed in their wake.
— from The Canadian Portrait Gallery - Volume 3 (of 4) by John Charles Dent

In the plate of Clifford Julius King , we see the row of books, the smoke from the waning cigar, as it rises across the open pages of a book, and the bust of Thackeray, while the motto, A jollie goode booke, whereon to looke, is better to me than golde , is suggestive of long evenings by the fireside, with choice editions to read and fondle.
— from American Book-Plates: A Guide to Their Study with Examples by Charles Dexter Allen