We may conclude then that the moral judgments which the present method attempts to systematise are primarily and for the most part intuitions of the rightness or goodness (or the reverse) of particular kinds of external effects of human volition, presumed to be intended by the agent, but considered independently of the agent’s own view as to the rightness or wrongness of his intention; though the quality of motives, as distinct from intentions, has also to be taken into account.
— from The Methods of Ethics by Henry Sidgwick

The truth is that in our pity—I mean by this what we erroneously call “pity” —we no longer think consciously of ourselves, but quite unconsciously, exactly as when slipping we unconsciously make the best counter-motions possible in order to recover our balance, and in doing so clearly use all our intelligence.
— from The Dawn of Day by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

At a conference held on the frontier, each party, without expecting to gain credit, displayed the power, the justice, and the pacific intentions, of their respective sovereigns; but necessity and interest dictated the treaty of peace, which was concluded for a term of fifty years, diligently composed in the Greek and Persian languages, and attested by the seals of twelve interpreters.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes) by Edward Gibbon

In Brome’s Court Beggar the patentee is Mendicant, a country gentleman who has left his rustic life and sold his property, in order to raise his state by court-suits.
— from The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson

The Captain-General at the time was Valeriano Weyler, the pitiless instrument of the reactionary forces manipulated by the monastic orders, he who [ xxxvi ] was later sent to Cuba to introduce there the repressive measures which had apparently been so efficacious in the Philippines, thus to bring on the interference of the United States to end Spain’s colonial power—all of which induces the reflection that there may still be deluded casuists who doubt the reality of Nemesis.
— from The Social Cancer: A Complete English Version of Noli Me Tangere by José Rizal

But the multitude was still so foolish as to be deaf to these predictions of what would befall them; and too peevish to suffer a determination which they had injudiciously once made, to be taken out of their mind; for they could not be turned from their purpose, nor did they regard the words of Samuel, but peremptorily insisted on their resolution, and desired him to ordain them a king immediately, and not trouble himself with fears of what would happen hereafter, for that it was necessary they should have with them one to fight their battles, and to avenge them of their enemies, and that it was no way absurd, when their neighbors were under kingly government, that they should have the same form of government also.
— from Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus

After-game , n. ‘ Prop. , a second game played in order to reverse or improve the issues of the first; hence, “The scheme which may be laid or the expedients which are practised after the original game has miscarried; methods taken after the first turn of affairs” (Johnson).’
— from The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson

He also prepared to make a greater figure, and raised soldiers; for he did not suppose that Herod would be quiet, who indeed came upon him with an army presently, in order to revenge his father's death; but, upon hearing the advice of his brother Phasaelus, not to punish him in an open manner, lest the multitude should fall into a sedition, he admitted of Malichus's apology, and professed that he cleared him of that suspicion; he also made a pompous funeral for his father.
— from The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Flavius Josephus

He has no interests in the case other than our own; he is no part of the environment; he is the goal that determines for us how we should proceed in order to realise as far as possible our inmost aspirations.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana

It has been even maintained that it is necessary to burden the peasant in order to rouse him from indolence, and that he would never work if he had no taxes to pay.
— from The Social Contract & Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

I received a phone call from my office 3 days ago stating that you had asked that I return to the United States to testify, and I immediately booked passage the next morning, which was the first plane, in order to return, and to be here before July 1, which was what your letter said.
— from Warren Commission (05 of 26): Hearings Vol. V (of 15) by United States. Warren Commission

One of the paintings is on the right; the other on the left of the throne, which is in the middle of the wall and divides the stand.
— from Three Plays by Luigi Pirandello

There seemed in the opening prospects of America, in a world still new, which had borrowed from the old as it were only so much civilisation as was necessary to create and to maintain order; there seemed in the circumstances of its boundless territory, and the total absence of feudal institutions and prejudices, so fair a field for the practical introduction of those regenerating principles to which Herbert had devoted all the thought and labour of his life, that he resolved, after long and perhaps painful meditation, to sacrifice every feeling and future interest to its fulfilment.
— from Venetia by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield

They will give you all the information you will need, for they live close to Pluto's palace, indeed on the road that leads to it.
— from The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2 by Aristophanes

In fact, he was sent to Yugoslavian Government with the blessing of our Government, maybe—I don't know under what protocol that we were helping the Yugoslavians, and he went over there but peculiarly, in order to receive the appointment he had to have recommendations of some man known in the industry, and he didn't come to me—I can say this—I don't brag, but if he came to me that would have meant something to him because I was with the Government on a couple or two or three times, but instead of that he goes to Jake Hamon, a close friend of mine, and asked him for a recommendation on that job.
— from Warren Commission (09 of 26): Hearings Vol. IX (of 15) by United States. Warren Commission

[Pg vii] where the subject-matter of a conversation or speech is purely legendary, or is given by historians in the third person, it has been put in the first person in order to render the story livelier and more vivid.
— from With Spurs of Gold: Heroes of Chivalry and their Deeds by Dolly Williams Kirk

Meanwhile the Duke of Mantua sent Giuliani to me, to acquaint me with what had passed, and recommended him to return as soon as possible, in order to receive the draft of the plan, which would then be pre 96 pared—and to convey it to me.
— from The True History of the State Prisoner, commonly called the Iron Mask Extracted from Documents in the French Archives by Dover, George Agar Ellis, Baron

Eagle Cliff, a celebrated view point, is on the right, overlooking Mowich canyon.
— from The Mountain that was 'God' Being a Little Book About the Great Peak Which the Indians Named 'Tacoma' but Which is Officially Called 'Rainier' by John H. (John Harvey) Williams

With the lessening of intellectual energy they passed into oblivion, to re-emerge only when called for by the livelier mental activities of a later time.
— from The Mediaeval Mind (Volume 1 of 2) A History of the Development of Thought and Emotion in the Middle Ages by Henry Osborn Taylor

"Peregrine Iron, sir, at your service—Captain Penegrine Iron, of the Raven sloop amongst others.
— from At a Winter's Fire by Bernard Edward Joseph Capes