I think if a semi-obscurity were thrown over the picture after finishing it to this nicety, it might bring it nearer to nature.
— from Passages from the English Notebooks, Complete by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The cry of religion was no impolitic measure; but it no longer produced the same effect as in times past.
— from The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.II. Continued from the Reign of William and Mary to the Death of George II. by T. (Tobias) Smollett

[5] "I do not deny that there is exaltation in my works; but that exaltation existed not in me, but in nature, in movement.
— from Auguste Rodin: The Man - His Ideas - His Works by Camille Mauclair

'She took a dislike to me seein' as I tried to look after her a bit and to stop her nasty cross ways, and she told me that impertinent, as I wanted to be nurse, I might be it now.
— from Nurse Heatherdale's Story by Mrs. Molesworth

“Bad cess to you, do you want to trate me like an informer.” “No, indeed, Mrs. Branagan; its not that same I'd even to you—sure I knew your people—father and mother's side—two generations back.
— from The O'Donoghue: Tale of Ireland Fifty Years Ago by Charles James Lever

"No, if Mrs. Burton is not interested, I do not care to interest any one else.
— from The Camp Fire Girls by the Blue Lagoon by Margaret Vandercook

The vulgar belief, under whatever name it may be, is never the belief of those who have leisure for reflection.
— from Plutarch's Lives, Volume 4 (of 4) by Plutarch

"No," she said, "no,"—speaking audibly, as she walked about the room; "no;—it was not in my bargain; I never meant it."
— from Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope