| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: friendship." Cf. Grote, "H. G." xi. 288; "Hell." VI. iv. 36.
II
To these arguments Simonides replied: Yes, but the topics you have
named are to my thinking trifles; drops, as it were, in the wide
ocean. How many men, I wonder, have I seen myself, men in the deepest
sense,[1] true men, who choose to fare but ill in respect of meats and
drinks and delicacies; ay, and what is more, they voluntarily abstain
from sexual pleasures. No! it is in quite a different sphere, which I
will name at once, that you so far transcend us private citizens.[2]
It is in your vast designs, your swift achievements; it is in the
overflowing wealth of your possessions; your horses, excellent for
|
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton: since. I have grown a little infirm, as you see, and I don't get
out often; only on fine days, if I am feeling very well. So you
can understand my sitting a great deal in my window--the back
window on the third floor--"
"Well, Mrs. Manstey," said Mrs. Black, liberally, "I could give
you a back room, I dare say; one of the new rooms in the ex--"
"But I don't want to move; I can't move," said Mrs. Manstey,
almost with a scream. "And I came to tell you that if you build
that extension I shall have no view from my window--no view! Do
you understand?"
Mrs. Black thought herself face to face with a lunatic, and she
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Father Sergius by Leo Tolstoy: away when I want her. Mamma . . .'
'I'm coming!' Praskovya Mikhaylovna again interrupted herself.
'He has not had his dinner yet. He can't eat with us.'
She went out and arranged something, and came back wiping her
thin dark hands.
'So that is how I live. I always complain and am always
dissatisfied, but thank God the grandchildren are all nice and
healthy, and we can still live. But why talk about me?'
'But what do you live on?'
'Well, I earn a little. How I used to dislike music, but how
useful it is to me now!' Her small hand lay on the chest of
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