And Hermione was thinking of her. Each mind was working in the midst of its desert space, its solitude eternal. What was growing up between them, and why was it growing? Hermione was beset by a strange sensation of impotence. She felt as if her child were drifting from her. Was it her fault, or was it no one's, and inevitable? Had Vere been able to divine certain feelings in her, the mother, obscure pains of the soul that had travelled to mind and heart? She did not think it possible.英文原著 · 《A Spirit in Prison》
"Oh, I don't complain; but I do say that those who love should not be ready to reproach; they should put a generous construction. You might have known, and you ought to have known, that I was struggling to find you, and torn with anguish at my impotence."英文原著 · 《A Woman-Hater》
When king Abenner saw this, though late and loth, he came to his senses, and renounced his false gods with all their impotence and vain deceit. Again he called an assembly of his chief counsellors, and brought to light the thoughts of his heart. As they confirmed his words (for the day-spring from on high had visited them, the Saviour who had heard the prayer of his servant Ioasaph), it pleased the king to signify the same to his son. Therefore on the morrow he wrote a letter to Ioasaph, running thus:英文原著 · 《Barlaam and Ioasaph》
The time's slippin'--slippin'--slippin'! Thursday next-- but three days mair! and I haena the proof --I haena the proof! "--and he rocked to and fro, biting his nails in the agony of his impotence. All day long he never moved. Long after sunset he sat on; long after dark had eliminated the features of the room. "They're all agin us, Wuflie. It's you and I alane, lad.英文原著 · 《Bob Son of Battle》
This relative impotence of democratic republics is, perhaps, the greatest obstacle to the foundation of a republic of this kind in Europe. In order that such a State should subsist in one country of the Old World, it would be necessary that similar institutions should be introduced into all the other nations.英文原著 · 《Democracy In America-1》
Democratic republics liable to perish from a misuse of their power, and not by impotence - The Governments of the American republics are more centralized and more energetic than those of the monarchies of Europe - Dangers resulting from this - Opinions of Hamilton and Jefferson upon this point.英文原著 · 《Democracy In America-1》
Doctor's call it "Hysterical impotence." There's nothing physically wrong, per se.美剧 · 《Modern Family》