| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde: no importance. [Throws letter down, and passes up the steps of the
terrace with MRS. ALLONBY. They smile at each other.]
ACT DROP.
SECOND ACT
SCENE
Drawing-room at Hunstanton, after dinner, lamps lit. Door L.C.
Door R.C.
[Ladies seated on sofas.]
MRS. ALLONBY. What a comfort it is to have got rid of the men for
a little!
LADY STUTFIELD. Yes; men persecute us dreadfully, don't they?
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: president of the Cour des comptes; Monsieur le Comte de Rastignac
minister of Public Works; and his brother-in-law, Monsieur le Baron
Martial de la Roche-Hugon was a diplomat and Councillor of State
employed on more or less extraordinary services.
But while awaiting this tardy classification and distant reform, I
think it well to let our great governing class know from time to time
that unless their names are Richelieu or Colbert they are liable to
competition and are forced to accept it. So, with this aggravating
intention I begin to take pleasure in my enterprise; and if I am
elected, I shall, unless you assure me that I have mistaken de
l'Estorade's meaning, find occasion to let him and others of his kind
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Tao Teh King by Lao-tze: 4. When things have attained their strong maturity they become old.
This may be said to be not in accordance with the Tao: and what is not
in accordance with it soon comes to an end.
31. 1. Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen,
hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have
the Tao do not like to employ them.
2. The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most
honourable place, but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp
weapons are instruments of evil omen, and not the instruments of the
superior man;--he uses them only on the compulsion of necessity. Calm
and repose are what he prizes; victory (by force of arms) is to him
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