| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Manon Lescaut by Abbe Prevost: virtue. Disastrous change! Into what an infamous character is
it here proposed that I should sink? To share---- But can I
hesitate, if Manon herself suggests it, and if I am to lose her
except upon such conditions? `Lescaut,' said I, putting my hands
to my eyes as if to shut out such a horrifying vision, `if your
intention was to render me a service, I give you thanks. You
might perhaps have struck out a more reputable course, but it is
so settled, is it not? Let us then only think of profiting by
your labour, and fulfilling your engagements.'
"Lescaut, who had been considerably embarrassed, not only by my
fury, but by the long silence which followed it, was too happy to
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Statesman by Plato: the Phrygian would equally divide mankind into Phrygians and Barbarians,
and that some intelligent animal, like a crane, might go a step further,
and divide the animal world into cranes and all other animals. Plato
cannot help laughing (compare Theaet.) when he thinks of the king running
after his subjects, like the pig-driver or the bird-taker. He would
seriously have him consider how many competitors there are to his throne,
chiefly among the class of serving-men. A good deal of meaning is lurking
in the expression--'There is no art of feeding mankind worthy the name.'
There is a similar depth in the remark,--'The wonder about states is not
that they are short-lived, but that they last so long in spite of the
badness of their rulers.'
Statesman |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum: drawing a long breath of fresh, pure air. You may be an imitation of
a horse, but you're a mighty poor one."
"Oh, I cannot hope ever to be like you," sighed the Sawhorse. "But I
am glad to meet a last a Real Horse. You are certainly the most
beautiful creature I ever beheld."
This praise won Jim completely. To be called beautiful was a novelty
in his experience. Said he:
"Your chief fault, my friend, is in being made of wood, and that I
suppose you cannot help. Real horses, like myself, are made of flesh
and blood and bones."
"I can see the bones all right," replied the Sawhorse, "and they are
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz |
