| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Crito by Plato: is to be allowed by me or disallowed. That argument, which, as I believe,
is maintained by many persons of authority, was to the effect, as I was
saying, that the opinions of some men are to be regarded, and of other men
not to be regarded. Now you, Crito, are not going to die to-morrow--at
least, there is no human probability of this, and therefore you are
disinterested and not liable to be deceived by the circumstances in which
you are placed. Tell me then, whether I am right in saying that some
opinions, and the opinions of some men only, are to be valued, and that
other opinions, and the opinions of other men, are not to be valued. I ask
you whether I was right in maintaining this?
CRITO: Certainly.
|
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Illustrious Gaudissart by Honore de Balzac: bread to the men who give it luxury. It starves them on sneers and
curses, the beggarly rascal! My words may be strong, but I shall not
retract them. Well, this great but neglected man comes to us; we
recognize his greatness; we salute him with respect; we listen to him.
He says to us: 'Gentlemen, my life and talents are worth so much; on
my productions I will pay you such or such percentage.' Very good;
what do we do? Instantly, without reserve or hesitation, we admit him
to the great festivals of civilization as an honored guest--"
"You need wine for that," interposed the madman.
"--as an honored guest. He signs the insurance policy; he takes our
bits of paper,--scraps, rags, miserable rags!--which, nevertheless,
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Mucker by Edgar Rice Burroughs: that Mr. Pesita is some surprised--and sore. There they go
behind the office. They'll stay there a few minutes talking it
over and getting up their courage to try it again. Next time
they'll come from another direction. You two," he continued,
turning to the Mexicans, "take positions on the east and
south sides of the house. Sing can remain here with Mr.
Harding. I'll take the north side facing the office. Shoot at the
first man who shows his head. If we can hold them off until
dark we may be able to get away. Whatever happens don't let
one of them get close enough to fire the house. That's what
they'll try for."
The Mucker |
