| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Charmides by Plato: the confusion between them, and the easy transition from one to the other.
The definitions which are offered are all rejected, but it is to be
observed that they all tend to throw a light on the nature of temperance,
and that, unlike the distinction of Critias between (Greek), none of them
are merely verbal quibbles, it is implied that this question, although it
has not yet received a solution in theory, has been already answered by
Charmides himself, who has learned to practise the virtue of self-knowledge
which philosophers are vainly trying to define in words. In a similar
spirit we might say to a young man who is disturbed by theological
difficulties, 'Do not trouble yourself about such matters, but only lead a
good life;' and yet in either case it is not to be denied that right ideas
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Black Beauty by Anna Sewell: The streets were very full that day, but we got on pretty well as far as
the bottom of Cheapside, where there was a block for three or four minutes.
The young man put his head out and said anxiously, "I think I had better
get out and walk; I shall never get there if this goes on."
"I'll do all that can be done, sir," said Jerry; "I think we shall
be in time. This block-up cannot last much longer, and your luggage
is very heavy for you to carry, sir."
Just then the cart in front of us began to move on,
and then we had a good turn. In and out, in and out we went,
as fast as horseflesh could do it, and for a wonder had a good clear time
on London Bridge, for there was a whole train of cabs and carriages
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Rivers to the Sea by Sara Teasdale: Circling a darkened dome!
RIVERS TO THE SEA
Oh for the measured dawns
That pass with folded wings--
How can I let them go
With unremembered things?
VIII
Florence
The bells ring over the Anno,
Midnight, the long, long chime;
Here in the quivering darkness
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