| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Contrast by Royall Tyler: JONATHAN
Sir!--
JESSAMY
I say, Sir, I understand that Colonel Manly has the
honour of having you for a servant.
JONATHAN
Servant! Sir, do you take me for a neger,--I am
Colonel Manly's waiter.
JESSAMY
A true Yankee distinction, egad, without a differ-
ence. Why, Sir, do you not perform all the offices of
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Manon Lescaut by Abbe Prevost: exercise of virtue, they are by no means universal and sure; that
the good man does not necessarily meet tyrants and tortures, and
that, on the contrary, a life of virtue is perfectly compatible
with repose and enjoyment. I can say with equal truth, that love
is often accompanied by content and happiness; and what makes
another distinction of infinite advantage to my argument, I may
add that love, though it often deludes, never holds out other
than hopes of bliss and joy, whilst religion exacts from her
votaries mortification and sorrow.
"`Do not be alarmed,' said I, perceiving that I had almost
offended his zealous feelings of devotion. `I only wish to say,
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: case it is an honour, but which will be regarded with the greater
gratitude, the monarch's or the lesser man's?
[7] "Come now."
[8] Cf. "Mem." II. iii. 11 as to "sacrifices as a means of social
enjoyment." Dr. Holden cf. Aristot. "Nic. Eth." VIII. ix. 160,
"And hence it is that these clan communites and hundreds solemnise
sacrifices, in connection with which they hold large gatherings,
and thereby not only pay honour to the gods, but also provide for
themselves holiday and amusement" (R. Williams). Thuc. ii. 38,
"And we have not forgotten to provide for our weary spirits many
relaxations from toil; we have regular games and sacrifices
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