Few persons ever reflect, as I should imagine, that from the evil of other men something of evil is communicated to themselves.
— from The Republic of Plato by Plato

On the contrary, the abstruse philosophy, being founded on a turn of mind, which cannot enter into business and action, vanishes when the philosopher leaves the shade, and comes into open day; nor can its principles easily retain any influence over our conduct and behaviour.
— from An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume

"That is not the point, Emerencia," replied Altisidora, "it is that I would not that my singing should lay bare my heart, and that I should be thought a light and wanton maiden by those who know not the mighty power of love; but come what may; better a blush on the cheeks than a sore in the heart;" and here a harp softly touched made itself heard.
— from Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

The principal events recorded are international deeds of arms, the clearing of woods, the enactment of laws, and the erection of palaces.
— from An Illustrated History of Ireland from AD 400 to 1800 by Mary Frances Cusack

"Oh so pleasant!" echoed Rotha, almost in tears.
— from The Letter of Credit by Susan Warner

He had learned its secrets when a boy, and in his present emergency, reason and intellect must perforce give way to that blind instinct which was left him as a legacy of his youth.
— from In the Dead of Night: A Novel. Volume 3 (of 3) by T. W. (Thomas Wilkinson) Speight

Let no one carry away the impression that we regard all these purely equitable regulations as immediately practicable.
— from Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative; Vol. 3 of 3 Library Edition (1891), Containing Seven Essays not before Republished, and Various other Additions. by Herbert Spencer

"Oh, papa!" exclaimed Renée, "and I wanted it—for a keepsake!" XII A light carriage, drawn by one horse, was conveying the Mauperin family along the Sannois road.
— from Renée Mauperin by Jules de Goncourt

I could not bear the idea that she might be in the court, smiling sarcastically at my misfortune and my shame—she free, powerful, perhaps even respected, and I a prisoner accused of murder!...
— from My Memoirs by Marguerite Steinheil