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Examples

  • In fact, with time, the constitution may come to be seen as Giscard's follie de grandeur, to be quietly forgotten as a distraction from the serious business of political integration.

    The worst of all possible worlds Richard 2005

  • Now (quoth the Monke) thou canst confesse thine owne wilfull follie, but this should have beene thought on before, and whilest thou wast living in the World.

    The Decameron 2004

  • Having thus spoken, within some few dayes after, the King being returned to Naples, he determined, as we to free himself from any the like ensuing follie, as also to recompence Signior Neri, for the great kindnesse he had shewne to him (although it was a difficult thing, to let another enjoy, what he rather desired for himselfe) to have the two

    The Decameron 2004

  • Mother, was not a little ashamed of his owne follie; but recollecting his better thoughts together, and knowing in his soule, that no one could better further his hopes, then shee; forgetting all his former feare, he returned her this answere;

    The Decameron 2004

  • There are infinite proper handsome fellowes, that daily haunt the company of dainty Damosels, yet are so shallow in the affayres of love, as they are not able to win one wench of a thousand, no, not with all the wit they have, such is their extreame follie and ill fortune.

    The Decameron 2004

  • Since all men confesse (that be not barbarously bred) that men are borne as well to seeke the common commoditie of their Countrey, as their owne priuate benefite, it may seeme follie to perswade that point, for each man meaneth so to doe.

    The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation 2003

  • Or the Satirick, who Omne vafer vitium ridenti tangit amico {81}, who sportingly, never leaveth, till he make a man laugh at follie; and at length ashamed, to laugh at himself; which he cannot avoyde, without avoyding the follie? who while Circum praecordia ludit {82}, giveth us to feele how many headaches a passionate life bringeth us to?

    Defence of Poesie 1992

  • The earle of Huntington came to his house and raised men on euerie side, and prepared horsse and harness for his compassed purpose, and when he had all things readie, he departed towards Brenford, and at his comming thither, he found all his mates and confederates there, well appointed for their purpose, except the earle of Rutland, by whose follie their practised conspiracie was brought to light and disclosed to king Henrie.

    Chronicles (3 of 6): Historie of England (1 of 9) Henrie IV Raphael Holinshed

  • By this Fable he nipped their follie, and trapped them manifestlie, in their owne dol - tishenes.

    A booke called the Foundacion of Rhetorike because all other partes of Rhetorike are grounded thereupon, euery parte sette forthe in an Oracion vpon questions, verie profitable to bee knowen and redde Richard Rainolde

  • [Sidenote: The Britains vanquished.] great victories against the Britains or Welshmen, but at Bensington or Benton he lost a battell against Offa king of Mercia, in the 24 yéere of his reigne: and from that time forward tasting manie displeasures, at length through his owne follie came vnto a shamefull end.

    Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (6 of 8) The Sixt Booke of the Historie of England Raphael Holinshed

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