If the average man were so constituted that the good in him outweighed the bad, it would be more advisable to rely upon his sense of justice, fairness, gratitude, fidelity, love or compassion, than to work upon his fears; but as the contrary is the case, and it is the bad that outweighs the good, the opposite course is the more prudent one.
— from The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer; Counsels and Maxims by Arthur Schopenhauer

And now Robin, having reached the bank, began, without more ado, to roll up his sleeves above his wrists.
— from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

Stooping quickly from the saddle, he picked up from the ground a handful of dirt, which he threw into the face of the vicious-looking animal, that once more attempted to rush upon him.
— from In the Heart of Africa by Baker, Samuel White, Sir

She had no alternative but to return with Medius, and take refuge under his roof.
— from Serapis — Complete by Georg Ebers

But in marching along the road up, he encountered the enemy in great force, and was repulsed with some loss; himself being thrust through the thigh with a spear, and his relatives Polyænidas and Chilon slain.
— from History of Greece, Volume 10 (of 12) by George Grote

The fisherman, being resolved to follow the genie's advice exactly, forebore casting in his nets a second time; but returned to the town very well satisfied with his fish, and making a thousand reflections upon his adventure.
— from The Arabian Nights Entertainments - Volume 01 by Anonymous

The Indians threatened to massacre all the rest, unless he should be given up, upon which, he gallantly came forward, and surrendered to Pontiac.
— from Indian Biography; Vol. 2 (of 2) Or, An Historical Account of Those Individuals Who Have Been Distinguished among the North American Natives as Orators, Warriors, Statesmen, and Other Remarkable Characters by B. B. (Benjamin Bussey) Thatcher

Marched along [Pg 23] quietly; nothing of importance save the appropriation of considerable molasses along the road until half an hour of sundown when a small party of guerrillas dashed up in our rear, discharging some fifteen or twenty pieces, then legging it before their fire could be returned.
— from An Artilleryman's Diary by Jenkins Lloyd Jones

I fancy he is a Communist; but he seems to have been joked about his opinions by madame and the rest until he has determined to keep a proud silence on such matters.
— from George Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 1 (of 3) by George Eliot