They are like gigantic trees that we sometimes see on the banks of a stream, which by their vast and deep roots, penetrating through the mere surface and laying hold on the very foundations of the earth, preserve the soil around them from being swept away by the ever-flowing current, and hold up many a neighboring plant, and perhaps worthless weed, to perpetuity.
— from The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving

But if thou knowest that it shall be hurtful unto me, and not profitable for the health of my soul, take the desire away from me'!
— from The Imitation of Christ by à Kempis Thomas

The people seemed never to tire of heaping honors upon me, and no day passed that did not bring some new proof of their love for my princess, the incomparable Dejah Thoris.
— from A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

No, the eaglets must make their nests higher up, more auspiciously, nearer to the sun; that is what they are his children for, that his example might serve them; but the old one will look on, so long as he is not blind, and will listen, when he becomes blind— Pour in some rum, more, more—enough!"
— from Fables for Children, Stories for Children, Natural Science Stories, Popular Education, Decembrists, Moral Tales by Tolstoy, Leo, graf

The severest criticism was heaped upon me, as no one doubted that the lack of preparation was due to my false reports.
— from In the World War by Czernin von und zu Chudenitz, Ottokar Theobald Otto Maria, Graf

With regard to Reginald the artist treated him in his usual manner, and neither by word nor deed betrayed the relationship which existed between them, but nevertheless used all his powers of fascination to attain a mastery over the young man's mind.
— from The Man with a Secret: A Novel by Fergus Hume

Now my crime is as heavy upon me and nothing gained by it.
— from Eric Brighteyes by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard

And I am ashamed to think that I have led him on to build his hopes upon me, and now must dash them down."
— from Mattie:—A Stray (Vol 1 of 3) by F. W. (Frederick William) Robinson

With each rebuff I gave her a kiss; and her smile, as her head pressed harder and harder upon my arm now exerting all its strength to support her, grew almost divine.
— from The Amethyst Box by Anna Katharine Green

"I wish to say," said the quavering voice, "that I am daily and hourly becoming less sure of my salvation, my past sins weigh heavily upon me, and neither prayer nor reading bring a gleam of comfort into my heart.
— from Garthowen A Story of a Welsh Homestead by Allen Raine

5 They had much other discourse; and probably Schütt was sent purposely to excuse the delay of the treaty, for which he used many arguments not necessary to be repeated; and he came also to test Whitelocke touching advice to be had with the Prince about this treaty, whereunto Whitelocke showed no averseness.
— from A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. by Bulstrode Whitlocke

"I know you will—I know you will, Jasper," says little Ruth, closing her hand upon mine, and not caring much what the doctor thought of it, I'll be bound; "we can do no more than our duty, each of us.
— from The House Under the Sea: A Romance by Max Pemberton

The deacon alone suddenly straightened himself up, made a noise with his lips, rubbed his forehead, and howled wildly: "Whe-ere the just re-po-o-ose!"
— from Orlóff and His Wife: Tales of the Barefoot Brigade by Maksim Gorky