Refrained

But, oh, I know I raised my face in frank answer to the thunder and trumpets of the message unspoken, and that, had it been death for that one look and that one moment I could not have refrained from the gift of myself that must have been in my face and eyes, in the very body of me that breathed so high. ❋ Unknown (2010)

He refrained from the high expenditures for his campaign management and advisors, in contrast to both McCain and Clinton. ❋ Unknown (2008)

He introduced me to the priest (not knowing I'd already met him), tried to give me a welcome packet they were out of, told me about the building and the renovated windows, and invited me to a post-Mass breakfast in the basement (I had coffee but refrained from the donuts). ❋ Unknown (2007)

I have refrained from the whole woe is Sci Fi. com only because it was always a loss leader, and how long can literary corporate sponsorship last at a company that canceled Farscape and puts on consistently crappy TV movies? ❋ Ccfinlay (2005)

Among many others, Robespierre, Lenin, and, in a less malign form (in that he mostly refrained from the wanton butchery of his foes), Daniel Ortega have all taught us this lesson. ❋ Unknown (2004)

Bob Ryan and Mitch Albom said the "straight" media had refrained from a rush to judgment, but Albom said radio talk shows and non-mainstream media had gone over the line on speculation. ❋ Unknown (2003)

It would appear that his only hope for rehabilitation would be if he refrained from the use of drugs. ❋ Unknown (1966)

Had the terms of that treaty been in evidence sooner, would the two nations at loggerheads have refrained from the shedding of blood on the battlefield sooner than they did? ❋ Unknown (1915)

He not only refrained from the society of sinners, but kept himself clean from the pollutions of sin, and this with an eye to the place he had among those that compassed God's altar. ❋ Unknown (1721)

46 They refrained from the highest enjoyment, intending to marry. ❋ Unknown (2006)

I’ve refrained from a full transcript, but it’s a highlight quotable talk and so I’ve put a rough take on a few especially quotable moments. ❋ Unknown (2010)

And they tried to persuade me to sing Il Trovatore; but concluding that damage enough had already been done, I refrained, that is, I refracted my song. ❋ Joshua Slocum (1877)

The High Commission court now began to take cognisance of what was called recusancy, or the refusal to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy; it also encouraged informations against such as refrained from joining in the established worship; and numerous professors of the old religion, both ecclesiastics and laity, were summoned on one account or other before this tribunal. ❋ Lucy Aikin (1822)

Call refrained from commenting that the woman Gus was talking about wasn’t his anymore. ❋ Larry McMurtry (1997)

It had refrained from opening a brand-new community center, built before the housing bust, because it couldn't pay to staff the place. ❋ William Bradley (2011)