| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Agesilaus by Xenophon: Corinthian exiles informed him that their city was ripe for surrender,
and showed him the engines by which they were confident they would
take the walls, he refused to make the assault, saying that Hellene
cities ought not to be reduced to slavery, but brought back to a
better mind,[10] and added, "For if we lop off our offending members,
haply we may deprive ourselves of the means to master the barbarians."
[8] B.C. 394. See "Hell." IV. ii. 9-23; Diod. xiv. 83; Grote, "H. G."
ix. 429.
[9] Lit. "all the barbarians."
[10] See "Econ." i. 23.
Again, if it is a sacred duty to hate the Persian, who of old set out
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Ivanhoe by Walter Scott: When the first moments of surprise were over,
Wilfred of Ivanhoe demanded of the Grand Master,
as judge of the field, if he had manfully and
rightfully done his duty in the combat?
``Manfully and rightfully hath it been done,'' said
the Grand Master. ``I pronounce the maiden free
and guiltless---The arms and the body of the deceased
knight are at the will of the victor.''
``I will not despoil him of his weapons,'' said the
Knight of Ivanhoe, ``nor condemn his corpse to
shame---he hath fought for Christendom---God's
 Ivanhoe |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Scarecrow of Oz by L. Frank Baum: Cap'n Bill scratched his chin thoughtfully. He wasn't
very favorably impressed by this last remark. But he
decided that as there was no way of escape from Jinxland
it would be wise to confront the King boldly and try to
win his favor. So they entered the castle, escorted by
one of the soldiers.
It was certainly a fine castle, with many large rooms,
all beautifully furnished. The passages were winding and
handsomely decorated, and after following several of
these the soldier led them into an open court that
occupied the very center of the huge building. It was
 The Scarecrow of Oz |