| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Eryxias by Platonic Imitator: said, I believe, Socrates, that if you were forced to speak the truth, you
would declare that you were richer than Callias the son of Hipponicus. And
yet, although you claimed to be wiser about things of real importance, you
would not any the more be richer than he.
I dare say, Eryxias, I said, that you may regard these arguments of ours as
a kind of game; you think that they have no relation to facts, but are like
the pieces in the game of draughts which the player can move in such a way
that his opponents are unable to make any countermove. (Compare Republic.)
And perhaps, too, as regards riches you are of opinion that while facts
remain the same, there are arguments, no matter whether true or false,
which enable the user of them to prove that the wisest and the richest are
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Blix by Frank Norris:
"And think of the stories he could tell you!"
They enthused immediately upon this subject, both talking
excitedly at the same time, going over the details of the
Captain's yarns, recalling the incidents to each other.
"Fancy!" exclaimed Condy--"fancy Billy Isham in his pajamas, red
and white stripes, reading Shakespeare from that pulpit on board
the ship, and the other men guying him! Isn't that a SCENE for
you? Can't you just SEE it?
|
