An Israelite , who from Tradition of his Fore-fathers, his own Experience , and some modern Reading, had inform’d himself of the Religion and Laws which were to regulate his Life; and knew how to procure Things necessary: Who perfectly understood the several qualities of the Earth , Plants , and Places agreeable to each sort, and to cultivate, propagate, defend them from Accidents, and bring them to Maturity: That also was skill’d in the nature of Cattel , their Food, Diseases, Remedies, &c. which those who amongst us pass for the most learned and accomplish’d Gentlemen , and Scholars , are, for the most part, grosly ignorant of, look upon as base , rustick , and things below them: is (in this learned Author’s Opinion) infinitely more to be valued, than a Man brought up either in wrangling at the Bar ; or the noisie, and ridiculous Disputes of our Schools , &c.
— from Sylva; Or, A Discourse of Forest Trees. Vol. 1 (of 2) by John Evelyn

Should she have joined the ranks of the Thessalians and Dolopes,[n] and helped Philip to acquire the empire of Hellas, cancelling thereby the noble and righteous deeds of our forefathers?
— from The Public Orations of Demosthenes, volume 2 by Demosthenes

It would certainly be acceptable to a numerous and respectable description of our fellow citizens, who, without undertaking the higher astronomical operations, for which the former is calculated, yet occasionally wish for information beyond the scope of the common almanacs.
— from The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 6 (of 9) Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private by Thomas Jefferson

He exhibited no spark of genius, nor any remarkable degree of original, natural talent.
— from Junius Unmasked Or, Thomas Paine the author of the Letters of Junius and the Declaration of Independence by Joel Moody