| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Crowd by Gustave le Bon: Prestige lost by want of success disappears in a brief space of
time. It can also be worn away, but more slowly by being
subjected to discussion. This latter power, however, is
exceedingly sure. From the moment prestige is called in question
it ceases to be prestige. The gods and men who have kept their
prestige for long have never tolerated discussion. For the crowd
to admire, it must be kept at a distance.
CHAPTER IV
LIMITATIONS OF THE VARIABILITY OF THE BELIEFS AND OPINIONS OF CROWDS
1. FIXED BELIEFS. The invariability of certain general
beliefs--They shape the course of a civilisation--The difficulty
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Love and Friendship by Jane Austen: doubt, no uncertainty of situation in which any advice can be
wanted. Whenever I am however continued she brightening into a
complaisant smile, I shall know where to apply."
I bowed, but felt a good deal mortified by such a repulse; still
however I had not given up my point. I found that by the
appearance of sentiment and Freindship nothing was to be gained
and determined therefore to renew my attacks by Questions and
suppositions. "Do you intend staying long in this part of
England Miss Grenville?"
"Yes Ma'am, some time I beleive."
"But how will Mr and Mrs Grenville bear your absence?"
Love and Friendship |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from United States Declaration of Independence: new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect
their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments
long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;
and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed
to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing
the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce
them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw
off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now
United States Declaration of Independence |
