| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Economist by Xenophon: Thuc. ii. 4; Aristoph. "Wasps," 200.
[6] Cf. (Aristot.) "Oecon." i. 5, {dei de kai exomereuein tais
teknopoiiais}.
[7] Lit. "since (you know) if the good sort of servant is rendered, as
a rule, better disposed when he becomes a father, the base,
through intermarrying, become only more ripe for mischief."
When we had gone over all the rooms (he continued), we at once set
about distribution our furniture[8] in classes; and we began (he said)
by collecting everything we use in offering sacrifice.[9] After this
we proceeded to set apart the ornaments and holiday attire of the
wife, and the husband's clothing both for festivals and war; then the
|
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: Their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the
people all said, 'We are as we are, of ourselves!'
18. 1. When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed,
benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom
and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy.
2. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships,
filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell
into disorder, loyal ministers appeared.
19. 1. If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it
would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce
our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: desperately into his cold face. "You were not mistaken. I was,
and I could not help being in despair. I hear you, but I am
thinking of him. I love him, I am his mistress; I can't bear you;
I'm afraid of you, and I hate you.... You can do what you like to
me."
And dropping back into the corner of the carriage, she broke into
sobs, hiding her face in her hands. Alexey Alexandrovitch did not
stir, and kept looking straight before him. But his whole face
suddenly bore the solemn rigidity of the dead, and his expression
did not change during the whole time of the drive home On
reaching the house he turned his head to her, still with the same
Anna Karenina |
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane: found his regiment. Well, he could fight with
any regiment.
He started forward slowly. He stepped as if
he expected to tread upon some explosive thing.
Doubts and he were struggling.
He would truly be a worm if any of his com-
rades should see him returning thus, the marks of
his flight upon him. There was a reply that the
intent fighters did not care for what happened
rearward saving that no hostile bayonets ap-
peared there. In the battle-blur his face would,
The Red Badge of Courage |
