| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Modeste Mignon by Honore de Balzac: papa is not the kind of man to stay away four years and only double
his capital. It seems he is coming back on a ship of his own, and
Dumay's share amounts to almost six hundred thousand francs."
"There is no need to question Dumay," said Butscha. "Your father lost,
as you know, about four millions when he went away, and he has
doubtless recovered them. He would of course give Dumay ten per cent
of his profits; the worthy man admitted the other day how much it was,
and my master and I think that in that case the colonel's fortune must
amount to six or seven millions--"
"Oh, papa!" cried Modeste, crossing her hands on her breast and
looking up to heaven, "twice you have given me life!"
Modeste Mignon |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Republic by Plato: The evils of debt and the inequality of property were far greater in
ancient than in modern times, and the accidents to which property was
subject from war, or revolution, or taxation, or other legislative
interference, were also greater. All these circumstances gave property a
less fixed and sacred character. The early Christians are believed to have
held their property in common, and the principle is sanctioned by the words
of Christ himself, and has been maintained as a counsel of perfection in
almost all ages of the Church. Nor have there been wanting instances of
modern enthusiasts who have made a religion of communism; in every age of
religious excitement notions like Wycliffe's 'inheritance of grace' have
tended to prevail. A like spirit, but fiercer and more violent, has
The Republic |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from King Henry VI by William Shakespeare: For he's disposed as the hateful raven;
Is he a lamb? his skin is surely lent him,
For he's inclin'd as is the ravenous wolf.
Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit?
Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all
Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.
[Enter SOMERSET.]
SOMERSET.
All health unto my gracious sovereign!
KING.
Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?
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