| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Alcibiades II by Platonic Imitator: the possessor. Consider the matter thus:--Must we not, when we intend
either to do or say anything, suppose that we know or ought to know that
which we propose so confidently to do or say?
ALCIBIADES: Yes, in my opinion.
SOCRATES: We may take the orators for an example, who from time to time
advise us about war and peace, or the building of walls and the
construction of harbours, whether they understand the business in hand, or
only think that they do. Whatever the city, in a word, does to another
city, or in the management of her own affairs, all happens by the counsel
of the orators.
ALCIBIADES: True.
|
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Symposium by Xenophon: need customary habit first, and time's distillery, if they are to be
sweet with freedom's breath, at last.[8]
[5] Cf. Solomon's Song, iv. 10: "How fair is thy love, my sister, my
spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of
thine ointments than all spices!"
[6] Lit. "the gymnasium."
[7] Cf. Aristoph. "Clouds," 1002 foll. See J. A. Symonds, "The Greek
Poets," 1st s., p. 281.
[8] See "Mem." III. x. 5; "Cyrop." VIII. i. 43.
Here Lycon interposed: That may be well enough for youths, but what
shall we do whose gymnastic days are over? What fragrance is left for
The Symposium |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen: not much relish the finery I am to have."
"You chose very wisely, I am sure," replied Miss Crawford,
with a brightened look; "Anhalt is a heavy part."
"_The_ _Count_ has two-and-forty speeches,"
returned Mr. Rushworth, "which is no trifle."
"I am not at all surprised," said Miss Crawford,
after a short pause, "at this want of an Anhalt.
Amelia deserves no better. Such a forward young lady
may well frighten the men."
"I should be but too happy in taking the part, if it
were possible," cried Tom; "but, unluckily, the Butler
Mansfield Park |
