It is always possible to gain a battle with brave troops, even where the commander may not have great capacity; but victories like those of Lutzen, Luzzara, Eylau, Abensberg, can only be gained by a brilliant genius endowed with great coolness and using the wisest combinations.
— from The Art of War by Jomini, Antoine Henri, baron de

Don't talk or laugh loud enough to attract attention, and on no account force yourself to laugh.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post

These were a seal which reflected the heavens and the earth, a wheel of the five fire-dragons, a gourd containing ten thousand fire-crows, and, in the other hands, two swords which floated like smoke, and a column of smoke several thousands of li long enclosing swords of fire.
— from Myths and Legends of China by E. T. C. (Edward Theodore Chalmers) Werner

When the old lady laid eyes upon that, she raised such a clamor that you would have thought that the geese had invaded the room again.
— from The Satyricon — Complete by Petronius Arbiter

And it was certainly surprising to discover at once the finest farming I had ever seen and the only land lighthouse ever raised.*[3]
— from The Life of Thomas Telford, Civil Engineer With an Introductory History of Roads and Travelling in Great Britain by Samuel Smiles

Betty knew this of long, long experience, besides in any event she would go, she would not stay—no, not even if her grandmother begged her to on her bended knees, and that was not in the least likely.
— from The Garden of Memories by Henry St. John Cooper

Isn't it about time to think of landing?" "Landing!" exclaimed the other.
— from The North Pacific: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War by Willis Boyd Allen

[Pg 178] of this solitary habitation (the windows of which scarce rendered the light accessible) was laid upon her death-bed, the once lovely Lady Elmwood—pale, half suffocated with the loss of breath; yet her senses perfectly clear and collected, which served but to sharpen the anguish of dying.
— from A Simple Story by Mrs. Inchbald

The fragmentary, miscellaneous evidence of newspapers, political meetings, the talk of leaders, local elections, formed a confused clamor which each listener interpreted according to his predisposition.
— from Lincoln; An Account of his Personal Life, Especially of its Springs of Action as Revealed and Deepened by the Ordeal of War by Nathaniel W. (Nathaniel Wright) Stephenson

Take a pint of oysters and heat them in their own liquor long enough to come to a boil, or until they begin to ruffle.
— from The Whitehouse Cookbook (1887) Cooking, Toilet and Household Recipes, Menus, Dinner-Giving, Table Etiquette, Care of the Sick, Health Suggestions, Facts Worth Knowing, Etc., Etc. The Whole Comprising a Comprehensive Cyclopedia of Information for the Home by Hugo Ziemann

What the mysteries of astronomy could not reveal, the theories of life left equally in the dark.
— from A Persian Pearl, and Other Essays by Clarence Darrow

And the other, 'Long live Elizabeth the Queen!' ROGER.
— from Queen Mary; and, Harold by Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson, Baron

I smelt nothing myself; but the odour lasted long enough to become sensible to them.
— from The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus, of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel by Teresa, of Avila, Saint