For that which is earthy in me is derived from earth, my moisture from some other element, my breath and what is warm or fiery from their proper sources.
— from The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus A new rendering based on the Foulis translation of 1742 by Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius

A new inclination to the present good springs up, and makes it difficult for me to adhere inflexibly to my first purpose and resolution.
— from A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume

In a sitting-room, the absence of Fog (and the season happened to be remarkably dry), made it difficult for me to trust to Sight Recognition, especially at the short distance at which I was standing.
— from Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions (Illustrated) by Edwin Abbott Abbott

Its size making it difficult for it to be got comfortably within the field of vision, every artifice has to be used to give it "breadth of treatment," as it is called, and nothing interferes with this like detail.
— from The Practice and Science of Drawing by Harold Speed

A pressing and general lack of money entering into every branch of industry, stops or at least hampers business and makes it difficult for many people to earn the necessaries of life.
— from A History of Norwegian Immigration to the United States From the Earliest Beginning down to the Year 1848 by George T. (George Tobias) Flom

Fie upon him, untrue knight to his lady, that so noble a knight as Sir Tristram is should be found to his first lady false, La Beale Isoud, Queen of Cornwall; but say ye him this, said Sir Launcelot, that of all knights in the world I loved him most, and had most joy of him, and all was for his noble deeds; and let him wit the love between him and me is done for ever, and that I give him warning from this day forth as his mortal enemy.
— from Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Malory, Thomas, Sir

that bad man rich; why he who, in our opinion, ought to suffer acutely for his abandoned life enjoys himself, while sorrow pursues him whose praiseworthy life leads us to suppose he should be happy; why the innocent man is dismissed from the bar not only unavenged, but even condemned, being either wronged by the iniquity of the judge, or overwhelmed by false evidence, while his guilty adversary, on the other hand, is not only discharged with impunity, but even has his claims admitted; why the ungodly enjoys good health, while the godly pines in sickness; why ruffians are of the soundest constitution, while they who could not hurt any one even with a word are from infancy afflicted with complicated disorders; why he who is useful to society is cut off by premature death, while those who, as it might seem, ought never to have been so much as born have lives of unusual length; why he who is full of crimes is crowned with honours, while the blameless man is buried in the darkness of neglect.
— from The City of God, Volume II by Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo

a gentleman,' she repeated, in allusion to their former conversation about that word, 'that any woman, worthy of the name of woman, would come forward to shield, with her reverenced helplessness, a man in danger from the violence of numbers.' 'And the gentleman thus rescued is forbidden the relief of thanks!'
— from North and South by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

The chronological method which begins with the experience of the learner and develops from that the proper modes of scientific treatment is often called the "psychological" method in distinction from the logical method of the expert or specialist.
— from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey

Her consciousness of superiority to the conditions that surrounded her, her love of luxury, the silken selfishness with which she squirmed out of unpleasant duties, these made her an unlikable and undesirable housemate, and that these faults could exist with what Nancy called her "everlasting stained-glass attitude" made it difficult for Mother Carey to maintain a harmonious family circle.
— from Mother Carey's Chickens by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin

I have written them before death takes me, that they may be buried with me in death, for as my spirit shall arise in the hour of resurrection, so also these my words may arise in their hour and tell to those who shall come after me upon the earth of what I knew upon the earth.
— from Moon of Israel: A Tale of the Exodus by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard

And he holds his hand on his breast like Buddha to show that he is a Mason in due form.
— from King Solomon's Goat by George Willard Bartlett

The seclusion in which he lives makes it difficult for any conspirator to approach his person, but his own fears regarding the management of such an immense Empire compel him to inform himself respecting the actions of ministers, generals, and proconsular governors.
— from The Middle Kingdom, Volume 1 (of 2) A Survey of the Geography, Government, Literature, Social Life, Arts, and History of the Chinese Empire and its Inhabitants by S. Wells (Samuel Wells) Williams

I shall here mention another unusual remedy in intermitting fevers; and though I can bring only one instance in proof of its efficacy, yet this is so strong as to make it deserve farther trial.
— from Observations on the Diseases of Seamen by Blane, Gilbert, Sir

he cried, joyfully, "what must I do for that?"
— from The Adventurers by Gustave Aimard

Madness is distinguishable from delirium, as in the latter the patient knows not the place where he resides, nor the persons of his friends or attendants, nor is conscious of any external objects, except when spoken to with a louder voice, or stimulated with unusual force, and even then he soon relapses into a state of inattention to every thing about him.
— from Zoonomia; Or, the Laws of Organic Life, Vol. I by Erasmus Darwin

Says he (good faith, this was his very say), When I was young, I was but Reason’s fool; And went to wedding, as to Wisdom’s school: It taught me much, and much I did forget; But, beaten much by it, I got some wit: Though I was shackled from an often-scout, Yet I would wanton it, when I was out; ’Twas comfort old acquaintance then to meet, Restrained liberty attain’d is sweet.
— from The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 3 (of 3) Everlasting Calerdar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac by William Hone