| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Second Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln: to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory
and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction
in regard to it is ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts
were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it--
all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered
from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war,
insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war--
seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation.
Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather
than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather
Second Inaugural Address |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Alcibiades I by Plato: by the light of nature, but to have associated with several of the
philosophers; with Pythocleides, for example, and with Anaxagoras, and now
in advanced life with Damon, in the hope of gaining wisdom.
SOCRATES: Very good; but did you ever know a man wise in anything who was
unable to impart his particular wisdom? For example, he who taught you
letters was not only wise, but he made you and any others whom he liked
wise.
ALCIBIADES: Yes.
SOCRATES: And you, whom he taught, can do the same?
ALCIBIADES: True.
SOCRATES: And in like manner the harper and gymnastic-master?
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: By a ray of the moon which was then gliding between the clouds,
Spendius perceived a gaping wound in the middle of the arm. He rolled
the piece of stuff about it, but the other said irritably, "Leave me!
leave me!"
"Oh no!" replied the slave. "You released me from the ergastulum. I am
yours! you are my master! command me!"
Matho walked round the terrace brushing against the walls. He strained
his ears at every step, glancing down into the silent apartments
through the spaces between the gilded reeds. At last he stopped with a
look of despair.
"Listen!" said the slave to him. "Oh! do not despise me for my
Salammbo |
