| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Tao Teh King by Lao-tze: 79. 1. When a reconciliation is effected (between two parties) after a
great animosity, there is sure to be a grudge remaining (in the mind
of the one who was wrong). And how can this be beneficial (to the
other)?
2. Therefore (to guard against this), the sage keeps the left-hand
portion of the record of the engagement, and does not insist on the
(speedy) fulfilment of it by the other party. (So), he who has the
attributes (of the Tao) regards (only) the conditions of the
engagement, while he who has not those attributes regards only the
conditions favourable to himself.
3. In the Way of Heaven, there is no partiality of love; it is always
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Life of the Spider by J. Henri Fabre: of the snareling will decide the plan of campaign. Let us first
suppose the usual case, that of an average head of game, a Moth or
Fly of some sort. Facing her prisoner, the Spider contracts her
abdomen slightly and touches the insect for a moment with the end
of her spinnerets; then, with her front tarsi, she sets her victim
spinning. The Squirrel, in the moving cylinder of his cage, does
not display a more graceful or nimbler dexterity. A cross-bar of
the sticky spiral serves as an axis for the tiny machine, which
turns, turns swiftly, like a spit. It is a treat to the eyes to
see it revolve.
What is the object of this circular motion? See, the brief contact
The Life of the Spider |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Love and Friendship by Jane Austen: one day " Well Charlotte, I am very glad to find that you have at
last left off that ridiculous custom of applauding my Execution
on the Harpsichord till you made my head ake, and yourself
hoarse. I feel very much obliged to you for keeping your
admiration to yourself." I never shall forget the very witty
answer I made to this speech. "Eloisa (said I) I beg you would
be quite at your Ease with respect to all such fears in future,
for be assured that I shall always keep my admiration to myself
and my own pursuits and never extend it to yours." This was the
only very severe thing I ever said in my Life; not but that I
have often felt myself extremely satirical but it was the only
Love and Friendship |
