The want of brightness in a fire at great altitudes is, I think, altogether attributable to the poorness of the fuel, which consists of either small sticks or bits of roots, or of argols of dung, all of which give out a good deal of smoke, more especially the latter if not quite dry; but I have often seen a capital blaze made with the argols when perfectly dry.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Rustichello of Pisa

That he was as sincere and noble now as in all his previous life is not questioned.
— from English Literature Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking World by William J. (William Joseph) Long

Although as easy as usual on the surface, Lightwood is not quite as easy as usual below it.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

Man, while he loves, is never quite depraved.
— from Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources Including Phrases, Mottoes, Maxims, Proverbs, Definitions, Aphorisms, and Sayings of Wise Men, in Their Bearing on Life, Literature, Speculation, Science, Art, Religion, and Morals, Especially in the Modern Aspects of Them by Wood, James, Rev.

Lamb was at Christ's Hospital from 1782 to 1789, and his list is not quite complete.
— from The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 2 Elia and The Last Essays of Elia by Charles Lamb

Their thirst for liquor is not quenched with equal moderation.
— from The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus by Cornelius Tacitus

31 Itaque lex ipsa naturae, quae utilitatem hominum conservat et continet, decernet profecto, ut ab homine inerti atque inutili ad sapientem, bonum, fortem virum transferantur res ad vivendum necessariae, qui si occiderit, multum de communi utilitate detraxerit, modo hoc ita faciat, ut ne ipse de se bene existimans seseque diligens hanc causam habeat ad iniuriam.
— from De Officiis by Marcus Tullius Cicero

The lightning is not quicker than was the flame from the rifle of Hawkeye; the limbs of the victim trembled and contracted, the head fell to the bosom, and the body parted the foaming waters like lead, when the element closed above it, in its ceaseless velocity, and every vestige of the unhappy Huron was lost forever.
— from The Last of the Mohicans; A narrative of 1757 by James Fenimore Cooper

Love is never quite devoid of sentimentality, and Strickland was the least inclined to that infirmity of any man I have known.
— from The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham

This may be the correct interpretation, but the language is not quite explicit.
— from St. Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and Philemon A revised text with introductions, notes and dissertations by J. B. (Joseph Barber) Lightfoot

The facsimile of part of one of the letters is not quite satisfactory, the lines being somewhat thicker than they should be, but it answers its present purpose.
— from Arrows of the Chace, vol. 1/2 being a collection of scattered letters published chiefly in the daily newspapers 1840-1880 by John Ruskin

Barry Lyndon is consecutive, and has the well-sustained purpose of exhibiting a finished rascal; but Barry Lyndon is not quite the same from beginning to end.
— from Thackeray by Anthony Trollope

Thus the whole question of the abandonment of luxury is no question at all, but a mere incident to another question, namely, the degree to which we abandon ourselves to the remorseless logic of our love for others. ”
— from The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature by William James

The equestrian figure on the left is not quite so much mutilated, the horse and parts of the drapery on the thighs being still well preserved.
— from The Storehouses of the King; Or, the Pyramids of Egypt What They Are and Who Built Them by Jane (Trill) van Gelder

If the line is not quite correct, the tip should be bent carefully in the direction required.
— from Things To Make by Archibald Williams

The fact is, Mr Phillott, your language is not quite so correct as I could wish it.
— from Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Frederick Marryat

Here he paused for some time, being almost spent: then, recovering his voice and spirits, he thus began again: “As I find the lamp of life is not quite extinguished, I shall employ the little that remains in saying a few words of my public conduct as your king.
— from The Surprising Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, King of the Beggars Containing his Life, a Dictionary of the Cant Language, and many Entertaining Particulars of that Extraordinary Man by Unknown

[134] Quasi agnus lasciuiens, & ignorans, nescit quòd ad vincula stultus trahatur.
— from The Dance of Death by Jean de Vauzelles

Say I am much as usual myself; but that Mr. Leaf is not quite well, and I think she might do him good.
— from Mistress and Maid: A Household Story by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik