In order to get a purely objective and true impression of it, we must stand in no kind of relation to the person, nay, if possible, we must not even have spoken to him.
— from Essays of Schopenhauer by Arthur Schopenhauer

In the course of a Sunday or two after, she was missed from her usual seat at church, and before I left the neighborhood I heard, with a feeling of satisfaction, that she had quietly breathed her last, and had gone to rejoin those she loved, in that world where sorrow is never known and friends are never parted.
— from The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving

He read it to me twice, but did not send it, not knowing to whom to address it.
— from The Possessed (The Devils) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The equal division of land was a Spartan institution, not known to have existed elsewhere in Hellas.
— from Laws by Plato

If a thing were never perceived, or inferred from perception, we should indeed never know that it existed; but once perceived or inferred it may be more conducive to comprehension and practical competence to regard it as existing independently of our perception; and our ability to make this supposition is registered in the difference between the two words to be and to be perceived —words which are by no means synonymous but designate two very different relations of things in thought.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana

I did not trouble my head much about the matter; whether we were among the combustible carbon, Silurians, or primitive soil, I neither knew nor cared to know.
— from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne

Shall I not keep faith with him who was faithful to me even unto death?
— from The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry by Walter Pater

The rector and his huge wife or servant, I never knew which, stood at the door to see us off.
— from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne

Why should I not know?
— from Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Faries by Yuk Yi

Well, said she, I never knew the like of thee.
— from Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson

There is a warmth, a soul, in the stage introduction not known in the chilly atmosphere of everyday society.
— from The Hohenzollerns in America With the Bolsheviks in Berlin and Other Impossibilities by Stephen Leacock

"Why should I not know them as well as you?
— from The Love Story of Abner Stone by Edwin Carlile Litsey

How should I not know her when I am constantly running over to Paris?”
— from December Love by Robert Hichens

Then I saw a soldier; I never knew his name, but I fell in love with him because I am so quick at that!
— from The Well-Beloved: A Sketch of a Temperament by Thomas Hardy

When I had subdued them and worked a little on their feelings, I said I never knew any good come of cruelty; whenever a ship or a boat had left a man behind who might have been saved, that disaster or destruction had invariably attended those who had so cruelly acted; that I was quite sure we never should escape from this danger if we did not show mercy to our fellow-creatures.
— from Frank Mildmay; Or, the Naval Officer by Frederick Marryat

No matter if your sacrifice is never known to the fellows, I understand."
— from T. Haviland Hicks Senior by J. Raymond Elderdice

“I have driven several that far; but, strange to say, I never knew one who went over.” “Do not push torture to insufferance, madame,” cried he, theatrically; but, instead of laughing at him, she looked really alarmed at his words.
— from The Bramleighs of Bishop's Folly by Charles James Lever

"Why should I not kiss you?"
— from What Dreams May Come by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton

When their hearts are so high That they would come to blows, They unhook their heavy swords From golden and silver boughs: But all that are killed in battle Awaken to life again: It is lucky that their story Is not known among men.
— from Stories of Red Hanrahan by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats

'What mean you?' said I, not knowing what he meant.
— from The High Toby Being further chapters in the life and fortunes of Dick Ryder, otherwise Galloping Dick, sometime gentleman of the road by H. B. Marriott (Henry Brereton Marriott) Watson