| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: it is the {arkhon} who is honoured by the rest of men, which
{time} helps to adorn him. Others seem to think it is the
{paidika} who is honoured by the {arkhon}. If so, transl.: "The
mere distinction, the privilege alone of being highly honoured,
lends embellishment," etc.
Since then, by aid of equal ministrations, you are privileged to win
not equal but far deeper gratitude: it would seem to follow,
considering the vastly wider sphere of helpfulness which lies before
you as administrators, and the far grander scale of your largesses, I
say it naturally pertains to you to find yourselves much more beloved
than ordinary mortals; or if not, why not?
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Whirligigs by O. Henry: Sam took out and opened a bone-handled pocket-knife
and scraped a dried piece of mud from his left boot. I
thought at first he was going to swear a vendetta on the
blade of it, or recite "The Gipsy's Curse." The few
feuds I had ever seen or read about usually opened that
way. This one seemed to be presented with a new treat-
ment. Thus offered on the stage, it would have been
hissed off, and one of Belasco's thrilling melodramas
demanded instead.
"I wonder," said Sam, with a profoundly thoughtful
expression, "if the cook has any cold beans left over!"
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