| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic: and I belong to myself, exactly as much as any man.
The notion that any other human being could conceivably obtain
the slightest property rights in me is as preposterous,
as ridiculous, as--what shall I say?--as the notion
of your being taken out with a chain on your neck and
sold by auction as a slave, down on the canal bridge.
I should be ashamed to be alive for another day, if any
other thought were possible to me."
"That is not the generally accepted view, I should think,"
faltered Theron.
"No more is it the accepted view that young married
The Damnation of Theron Ware |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Bride of Lammermoor by Walter Scott: Ravenswood, he sprung upon that which the stranger resigned to
him, and continued his career at full speed.
"Was ever so thoughtless a being!" said the Master; "and you, my
friend, how could you trust him with your horse?"
"The horse," said the man, "belongs to a person who will make
your honour, or any of your honourable friends, most welcome to
him, flesh and fell."
"And the owner's name is----?" asked Ravenswood.
"Your honour must excuse me, you will learn that from himself.
If you please to take your friend's horse, and leave me your
galloway, I will meet you after the fall of the stag, for I hear
The Bride of Lammermoor |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Democracy In America, Volume 1 by Alexis de Toqueville: every human heart, it may aspire to universal dominion; but when
it connects itself with a government, it must necessarily adopt
maxims which are only applicable to certain nations. Thus, in
forming an alliance with a political power, religion augments its
authority over a few, and forfeits the hope of reigning over all.
As long as a religion rests upon those sentiments which are
the consolation of all affliction, it may attract the affections
of mankind. But if it be mixed up with the bitter passions of
the world, it may be constrained to defend allies whom its
interests, and not the principle of love, have given to it; or to
repel as antagonists men who are still attached to its own
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