It was criminal to stay calmly in one spot and make no effort to stay destruction.
— from The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane

For some time Psyche was obedient to the injunction of her immortal spouse, and made no effort to gratify her natural curiosity; but, unfortunately, in the midst of her happiness she was seized with an unconquerable longing for the society of her Page 152 [152] sisters, and, in accordance with her desire, they were conducted by Zephyrus to her fairy-like abode.
— from Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome by E. M. Berens

Mrs. Pratt had time, although she did not hear the cry for help, but woke up some moments later, to run to that 283 room—and there she found these men standing and making no effort to escape.
— from The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain

He shook with a rage that terrified her, and having held out disregarded arms to him, she let her trembling mouth droop shapelessly, and made no effort to control her heavy tears, the sobs rushing up and out with ugly, tortured sounds.
— from Moor Fires by E. H. (Emily Hilda) Young

Without a moment’s hesitation, without looking to right or to left, walking with a determined stride and making no effort to conceal his purpose, and, at the same time, oblivious of the fact that he was unobserved, Braun approached the painting, raised it from the hook, and, with the wire dangling loosely from it, took the painting under his arm and walked out of the place.
— from Children of Men by Bruno Lessing

From Ed the old man drifted into talk of himself and his life, telling bare facts with directness and simplicity and making no effort to disguise a slight turn of vanity in his success.
— from Windy McPherson's Son by Sherwood Anderson

He never saw the studio any more, nor entertained the local Bohemians with his famous chafing-dish suppers.
— from Smoke Bellew by Jack London

"We shouted, and made noise enough to fling all the rocky echoes into a Babel of dispute with one another, and [Pg 205] if we could have found the butt end of a tree, we would have made a rush for it and rammed the heavy gate.
— from Dariel: A Romance of Surrey by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore

The two soldiers, alarmed at the sudden assault, made no effort to help their officer, but drove away for aid.
— from Lafayette, We Come! The Story of How a Young Frenchman Fought for Liberty in America and How America Now Fights for Liberty in France by Rupert Sargent Holland

In a year or two he went into business for himself, carrying on a modest little store, and manifesting no especial talent for business.
— from Lights and Shadows of New York Life or, the Sights and Sensations of the Great City by James Dabney McCabe

Before her he stopped, and made no effort to catch her.
— from The Honor of the Big Snows by James Oliver Curwood

I thought I wouldn't before—' He stopped and made no effort to finish the sentence.
— from The Philanderers by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason

And what shall be said of the man who neglects his soul, and makes no effort to enter the strait gate?
— from Practical Religion Being Plain Papers on the Daily Duties, Experience, Dangers, and Privileges of Professing Christians by J. C. (John Charles) Ryle