| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: "It does, sir."
"Did you observe any one loitering in the vicinity of the residence
prior to five o'clock, Tuesday morning?"
"No, sir. It was only when the lady called to me that I was
attracted to the house."
"Did she state what was the matter?"
"Yes, sir. She said that she had locked a burglar in a closet, and
to come and get him, and I did so," and O'Ryan expanded his chest
with an air of satisfaction as be glanced about the morgue.
"Did the burglar resist arrest?"
"No, sir; he came very peaceably and not a word out of him."
The Red Seal |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tao Teh King by Lao-tze: the wish to be getting. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is
an enduring and unchanging sufficiency.
47. 1. Without going outside his door, one understands (all that takes
place) under the sky; without looking out from his window, one sees
the Tao of Heaven. The farther that one goes out (from himself), the
less he knows.
2. Therefore the sages got their knowledge without travelling; gave
their (right) names to things without seeing them; and accomplished
their ends without any purpose of doing so.
48. 1. He who devotes himself to learning (seeks) from day to day to
increase (his knowledge); he who devotes himself to the Tao (seeks)
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