We have not to inquire into the derivation of the notion of Justice, as we are not now studying the history of our ethical thought, but its actual condition.
— from The Methods of Ethics by Henry Sidgwick

The observance of promises is itself one of the most considerable parts of justice, and we are not surely bound to keep our word because we have given our word to keep it.
— from An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume

It was so kind of providential, for 'Lisha was invited out to a day's pleasuring so I could leave jest as wal as not.
— from Work: A Story of Experience by Louisa May Alcott

If after so just, as well as necessary, a measure has been introduced, the Filipino people are so stupid and weak that they are treacherous to their own interests, then let the responsibility fall upon them, let them suffer all the consequences.
— from The Philippines a Century Hence by José Rizal

No doubt this principle seems to be too far-fetched and too subtly reasoned, and consequently 127 seems to go beyond the scope of an aesthetical judgement; but observation of men proves the opposite, and shows that it may lie at the root of the most ordinary judgements, although we are not always conscious of it.
— from Kant's Critique of Judgement by Immanuel Kant

She soon perceived these agitations of mind in Jones, and was at no loss to discover the cause; for indeed she recognized it in her own breast.
— from History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding

“Science,” he would say, “concerns itself with none of the causes of human happiness (for it has nothing to do with producing anything): Practical Wisdom has this recommendation, I grant, but where is the need of it, since its province is those things which are just and honourable, and good for man, and these are the things which the good man as such does; but we are not a bit the more apt to do them because we know them, since the Moral Virtues are Habits; just as we are not more apt to be healthy or in good condition from mere knowledge of what relates to these (I mean, of course, things so called not from their producing health, etc., but from their evidencing it in a particular subject), for we are not more apt to be healthy and in good condition merely from knowing the art of medicine or training.
— from The Ethics of Aristotle by Aristotle

Jo answers with a nod, having also nodded as each other place was mentioned.
— from Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Judy answers with a nod of deepest meaning and calls, as she scrapes the butter on the loaf with every precaution against waste and cuts it into slices, "You, Charley, where are you?"
— from Bleak House by Charles Dickens

With Padre Sanvítores and his five Jesuit associates were a number of Christian Filipino catechists.
— from A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows

“We have all agreed to remain here,” Clay said, with a smile, “but we can go on just as well as not.
— from The River Motor Boat Boys on the Columbia; Or, The Confession of a Photograph by Harry Gordon

I wish this hazy and dreamy weather could last for ever, and I am sure I could stand two extra days of it going just as we are now.
— from In a Steamer Chair, and Other Stories by Robert Barr

"Uncle George," said he, "you can go just as well as not.
— from Rollo in Naples by Jacob Abbott

"Why, they could pull me just as well as not," said Rodolphus, "if they would only try.
— from Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV. None by Various

And I know that he can use a boy just as well as not.
— from Janice Day, the Young Homemaker by Helen Beecher Long

In the mean time we may just as well as not learn to live clean, innocent lives instead of slimy, bloody ones.
— from The Story of My Boyhood and Youth by John Muir

"We can give no written guarantee," said Sir John, "as we are not dealing officially with the Government of Ironia as yet.
— from The Amateur Diplomat: A Novel by Thomas B. (Thomas Bertram) Costain

It's just as warm and nice as can be out-of-doors, real springy, and I know the way to the wood lot.
— from St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878 by Various

I knew one man who was travelling in the forest, just as we are now; it was about this time; and he believed in the Wild Huntsman about as much as you, that is, he liked to talk of the Spirit, merely to have the opportunity of denying that he believed in him; which showed, as I used to say, that his mind was often thinking of it.
— from Vivian Grey by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield