| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: the remainder, and leave it. Accordingly, by his system of give-and-
take even those with next to nothing[7] have a share in all that the
country can supply, if ever they stand in need of anything.
[6] Reading {pepamenous}, or if {pepasmenous}, "who have already
finished their repasts."
[7] See Aristot. "Pol." ii. 9 (Jowett, i. pp. xlii. and 52); Muller,
"Dorians," iii. 10, 1 (vol. ii. 197, Eng. tr.)
VII
There are yet other customs in Sparta which Lycurgus instituted in
opposition to those of the rest of Hellas, and the following among
them. We all know that in the generality of states every one devotes
|
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Little Rivers by Henry van Dyke: house, it appears admirable. There is no dust or smoke, no rumble
of wheels, or shriek of whistles. You are gliding along steadily
through an ever-green world; skirting the silent hills; passing
from one side of the river to the other when the horses have to
swim the current to find a good foothold on the bank. You are on
the water, but not at its mercy, for your craft is not disturbed by
the heaving of rude waves, and the serene inhabitants do not say "I
am sick." There is room enough to move about without falling
overboard. You may sleep, or read, or write in your cabin, or sit
upon the floating piazza in an arm-chair and smoke the pipe of
peace, while the cool breeze blows in your face and the musical
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from United States Declaration of Independence: their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has
endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers,
the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare,
is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress
in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered
only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked
by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler
of a free People.
Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren.
United States Declaration of Independence |
