'Matter,' he proceeds, 'is purely passive , yet, nevertheless, has in its simplest state a determination towards the assumption of a more perfect constitution in the way of natural development, whereby it breaks up rest, stirs up nature, gives to chaos shape.'
— from Old-Fashioned Ethics and Common-Sense Metaphysics With Some of Their Applications by William Thomas Thornton

At the same time, I am well assured, that the only reason of ascribing those papers to a particular person, is built upon the information of a certain pragmatical spy of quality, well known to act in that capacity by those into whose company he insinuates himself; a sort of persons who, although without much love, esteem, or dread of people in present power, yet have too much common prudence to speak their thoughts with freedom before such an intruder; who, therefore, imposes grossly upon his masters, if he makes them pay for anything but his own conjectures.
— from The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. - Volume 07 Historical and Political Tracts-Irish by Jonathan Swift

The process is painful, perhaps, yet indispensable.
— from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: The Book of the Spiritual Man by Patañjali

'Madam,' replied the princess, 'I plainly perceive your majesty is come to mock me; but I declare I will never let you rest till you consent I shall marry the young man.
— from Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights by E. Dixon

I have been, to put it plainly, pulling you out of holes.
— from The Blotting Book by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

Madam, replied the princess, I plainly perceive your majesty is come to mock me; but I declare I will never let you rest till you consent I shall marry the young man that lay with me last night.
— from The Arabian Nights Entertainments - Volume 01 by Anonymous