reprehensions

One is glad of such outbursts, rare and for the most part mild as they are, for if the book has a fault, it lies in a certain blandness in the narrative voice, a perhaps too-easy acceptance of the world and its oddities and annoyances – at times in these pages one longs for a touch of the occasional curmudgeonliness of Paul Theroux, say, or the beady-eyed reprehensions of Theroux's erstwhile friend VS Naipaul.

Nocturne: A Journey in Search of Moonlight by James Attlee – review 2011

She loved my mother with the devoted attachment of a younger sister; but she was as jealous of her favour to any one else as if she had been the aged husband of a coquettish wife, and as severe in her reprehensions as an abbess over her nuns.

Chronicles of the Canongate 2008

But it is manifest, by the many reprehensions of them by our Saviour, that they corrupted the text of the law with their false commentaries, and vain traditions; and so little understood the prophets that they did neither acknowledge Christ, nor the works he did, of which the prophets prophesied.

Leviathan 2007

But I ought to add, on this head, [of her great charity where character was concerned, and where there was room for charity,] that she was always deservedly severe in her reprehensions of a wilful and studied vileness.

Clarissa Harlowe 2006

I thought of your reprehensions, and was meek, though not pleased.

Clarissa Harlowe 2006

Miss Howe takes thankfully her reprehensions: but will continue the correspondence.

Clarissa Harlowe 2006

For, as they who flatter artificially and craftily sometimes mingle light reprehensions with their many and great praises, joining this liberty of speech as a sauce to their flattery; so malice, that it may gain belief to its accusations, adds also praise.

Essays and Miscellanies 2004

The Friar, falling into the course of his former reprehensions, but yet in more rough and impatient minner, sharpely checkt him for his immodest behaviour towards the Gentlewoman, in sending her the Purse and Girdle.

The Decameron 2004

Isabella the faire young Nunne, from the bitter reprehensions of the as faulty Abbesse, as also the malice of her envious Sisters; the Queene gave command unto Philostratus, that he should be the next in order, and hee (without expecting anie other warning) began in this manner.

The Decameron 2004

But because Colotes would, immediately after Democritus, seem to inter and bury Parmenides, and I have passed over and a little postponed his defence, to bring in between them that of Empedocles, as seeming to be more coherent and consequent to the first reprehensions, let us now return to Parmenides.

Essays and Miscellanies 2004