| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Theaetetus by Plato: of the distinction of the 'I' and 'Not I,' of ourselves and outward
objects. But when we attempt to gather up these elements in a single
system, we discover that the links by which we combine them are apt to be
mere words. We are in a country which has never been cleared or surveyed;
here and there only does a gleam of light come through the darkness of the
forest.
(2) These fragments, although they can never become science in the ordinary
sense of the word, are a real part of knowledge and may be of great value
in education. We may be able to add a good deal to them from our own
experience, and we may verify them by it. Self-examination is one of those
studies which a man can pursue alone, by attention to himself and the
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Koran: 'Fighting therein is a great sin; but turning folks off God's way, and
misbelief in Him and in the Sacred Mosque, and turning His people
out therefrom, is a greater in God's sight; and sedition is a
greater sin than slaughter.'
They will not cease from fighting you until they turn you from
your religion if they can; but whosoever of you is turned from his
religion and dies while still a misbeliever; these are those whose
works are vain in this world and the next; they are the fellows of the
Fire, and they shall dwell therein for aye.
Verily, those who believe, and those who flee, and those who wage
war in God's way; these may hope for God's mercy, for God is forgiving
The Koran |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Fantastic Fables by Ambrose Bierce: "Then," said the Hard Man to Deal With, "why are you so anxious to
have your Company bet me money that it will not?"
The Agent was silent and thoughtful for a moment; then he drew the
other apart into an unfrequented place and whispered in his ear:
"My friend, I will impart to you a dark secret. Years ago the
Company betrayed my sweetheart by promise of marriage. Under an
assumed name I have wormed myself into its service for revenge; and
as there is a heaven above us, I will have its heart's blood!"
An Optimist
Two Frogs in the belly of a snake were considering their altered
circumstances.
Fantastic Fables |
