In this they seem to me to be like a blind man, who, in order to fight on equal terms with a person that sees, should have made him descend to the bottom of an intensely dark cave: and I may say that such persons have an interest in my refraining from publishing the principles of the philosophy of which I make use; for, since these are of a kind the simplest and most evident, I should, by publishing them, do much the same as if I were to throw open the windows, and allow the light of day to enter the cave into which the combatants had descended.
— from Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One's Reason and of Seeking Truth in the Sciences by René Descartes

You see——. For one thing, my mind was full of the idea of getting to school in time—set on not breaking my record for punctuality.
— from The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

M. R. F. having always in the clearest manner provided (as he calls it) for his children by pre-arranging from the hour of the birth of each, and sometimes from an earlier period, what the devoted little victim's calling and course in life should be, M. R. F. pre-arranged for myself that I was to be the barrister I am (with the slight addition of an enormous practice, which has not accrued), and also the married man I am not.' 'The first you have often told me.' 'The first I have often told you.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

Indeed, [328] I have found much relief from pilgrims: though none were willing to go so softly as I am forced to do, yet still as they came on they bid me be of good cheer, and said that it was the will of their Lord that comfort should be given to the feeble-minded, and so went on their own pace.
— from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read by John Bunyan

You will find out some period when MONSIEUR DE STRASBOURG is alone, or only in company of the domestic who lives with him (I myself visited the man by accident on my return from Paris five years since, and hence am induced to send for him now, in my present emergency).
— from Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray

The American DISCC's (District Information Services Control Commands) in the American Zone of Germany did an excellent job in moving rapidly from phase one to phase two in 1945 and 1946.
— from Psychological Warfare by Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger

Such qualities must be somewhat beyond what is merely requisite for producing the effect, which we examine.
— from An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume

Indeed, I look upon this opulent kingdom as a wide and fertile common, on which we adventurers may range for prey, without let or molestation.
— from The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom — Complete by T. (Tobias) Smollett

My reasons for pursuing this course may be understood from the following: First, were I to give a minute statement of all the facts, it is not only possible, but quite probable, that others would thereby be involved in the most embarrassing difficulties.
— from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass

My sacred regard for truth is (thank God) far above my respect for persons.
— from The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

There was all the more reason for prompt action upon the President’s pacific recommendations, in the fact that the Government of the United States was wholly unprepared for a civil war.
— from Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States. v. 2 (of 2) by George Ticknor Curtis

They lived near th' Stashun at Manningham, in a haase off Valley Road, soa they cut across, an' ovver th' canal, an' up bi Spinkwell, into th' main road for Peel Park.
— from Yorkshire Tales. Third Series Amusing sketches of Yorkshire Life in the Yorkshire Dialect by John Hartley

3. Richards, Mathias , Representative from Pennsylvania, 36 , 124 , 187 , 315 .
— from Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 4 (of 16) by United States. Congress

An acquaintance with these dark flowing rivers, and scores of rills of water tinged as dark as strong tea, was all my reward for plunging through the terrible Manyuema mud or "glaur."
— from The Last Journals of David Livingstone, in Central Africa, from 1865 to His Death, Volume II (of 2), 1869-1873 Continued By A Narrative Of His Last Moments And Sufferings, Obtained From His Faithful Servants Chuma And Susi by David Livingstone

1 I have been very often tempted to write Invectives upon those who have detracted from my Works, or spoken in derogation of my Person; but I look upon it as a particular Happiness, that I have always hindred my Resentments from proceeding to this extremity.
— from The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 With Translations and Index for the Series by Steele, Richard, Sir

Few have been more remarkable for perceiving resemblances and differences than Oken.
— from The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 03, January, 1858 A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics by Various

When Mark returned from putting her into the carriage, Vincent said, [Pg 423] 'Is there anything you want to say to me, Ashburn?' 'Yes,' said Mark; 'I know I have no right to trouble you.
— from The Giant's Robe by F. Anstey

If every plant or animal produced only a single female-cell or a single male-cell, then indeed we might require from Professor Weismann a demonstration of some special mechanism to secure the expulsion of half its ancestral germ-plasms; since otherwise the single female-cell or male-cell would have to increase its dimensions in each successive generation.
— from An Examination of Weismannism by George John Romanes

He's become that opinionated he ain't got no more reespect for Peets than for Monte.
— from Faro Nell and Her Friends: Wolfville Stories by Alfred Henry Lewis