| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Memorabilia by Xenophon: examine into; but since the state, which you are preparing yourself to
direct, is democratically constituted,[57] of course you know what a
democracy is.
[57] Or, "popularly governed."
Euth. I presume I do, decidedly.
Soc. Well, now, is it possible to know what a popular state is without
knowing who the people are?
Euth. Certainly not.
Soc. And whom do you consider to be the people?
Euth. The poor citizens, I should say.
Soc. Then you know who the poor are, of course?
 The Memorabilia |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Gobseck by Honore de Balzac: madame!' I exclaimed, 'you have ruined your children! Those papers
were their titles to their property.'
"Her mouth twitched, she looked as if she were threatened by a
paralytic seizure.
" 'Eh! eh!' cried Gobseck; the harsh, shrill tone grated upon our ears
like the sound of a brass candlestick scratching a marble surface.
"There was a pause, then the old man turned to me and said quietly:
" 'Do you intend Mme. la Comtesse to suppose that I am not the
rightful owner of the property sold to me by her late husband? This
house belongs to me now.'
"A sudden blow on the head from a bludgeon would have given me less
 Gobseck |