| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Apology by Xenophon: that I never wronged another at any time or ever made a worse man of
him,[49] but ever tried to benefit those who practised discussion with
me, teaching them gratuitously every good thing in my power."
[48] Cf. "Mem." IV. viii. 9, 10; ib. IV. ii. 3. See Plat. "Rep." v.
476 D, {exomen ti paramutheisthai auton}; and "Hunting," i. 11.
The story of Palamedes is told by Ovid, "Met." xiii. 5.
[49] Cf. Plat. "Apol." 25 D, {poteron eme eisageis deuro os
diaphtheironta tous neous kai poneroterous poiounta ekonta e
akonta}.
Having so said he turned and went in a manner quite in conformity[50]
with the words which he had spoken--so bright an air was discernible
The Apology |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: listened also intently. He heard a dry sound of rustling; sharp
cracks as of dry wood snapping; a whirr like of a bird's wings
when it rises suddenly, and then he saw a thin stream of smoke
come through the keyhole. The monkey struggled under his coat.
Ali appeared with his eyes starting out of his head.
"Master! House burn!" he shouted.
Almayer stood up holding by the table. He could hear the yells
of alarm and surprise in the settlement. Ali wrung his hands,
lamenting aloud.
"Stop this noise, fool!" said Almayer, quietly. "Pick up my
hammock and blankets and take them to the other house. Quick,
Almayer's Folly |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin: A.F. born 1667, died 1752, ----- 95.
By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old.
I us'd to write more methodically. But one does not dress for private
company as for a publick ball. 'Tis perhaps only negligence.
To return: I continued thus employed in my father's business for
two years, that is, till I was twelve years old; and my brother John,
who was bred to that business, having left my father, married, and set
up for himself at Rhode Island, there was all appearance that I
was destined to supply his place, and become a tallow-chandler.
But my dislike to the trade continuing, my father was under
apprehensions that if he did not find one for me more agreeable,
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin |
