When a thing is sacred to me it is impossible for me to be irreverent toward it. I cannot call to mind a single instance where I have ever been irreverent, except toward the things which were sacred to other people. Am I in the right? I think so. But I ask no one to take my unsupported word; no, look at the dictionary; let the dictionary decide. Here is the definition:
Irreverence. The quality or condition of irreverence toward God and sacred things. What does the Hindu say?英文原著 · 《Is Shakespeare Dead》
An irreverent little workmate of mine in the spinning-room made a string of jingling couplets about it, like this:--英文原著 · 《A New England Girlhood》
I felt that my chance of hearing Mother Martha's story would be a poor one indeed, if I allowed her to begin a fresh string of questions. Accordingly, I dismissed the inquiries about the clergy of the Established Church with the most irreverent briefness, and recalled her attention forthwith to the subject of the wooden cross.英文原著 · 《AFTER DARK》
"They throng the steps and balconies of every house, they strain to catch a sight of Christ above each other's heads. They leap up on each other's backs to gain a better vantage-ground from which to hurl their jeers at him. They jostle irreverently against their priests. Each individual man, woman, and child on the stage acts, and acts in perfect harmony with all the rest.英文原著 · 《Diary of a Pilgrimage》
Granice looked at him hopelessly, trying to take the measure of his quick light irreverent mind. No one so full of a cheerful animal life would believe in the craving for death as a sufficient motive; and Granice racked his brain for one more convincing. But suddenly he saw the reporter's face soften, and melt to a naive sentimentalism.英文原著 · 《Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton-Part 1》
"I would," said Mr. Carlyle, smothering an irreverent laugh.英文原著 · 《East Lynne》