| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from On Revenues by Xenophon: of ten thousand is reached the yearly income will amount to a hundred
talents.
[26] "Out of the income so derived."
[27] Or, "full complement."
As a matter of fact, the state will receive much more than these
figures represent,[28] as any one here will bear me witness who can
remember what the dues[29] derived from slaves realised before the
troubles at Decelea.[30] Testimony to the same effect is borne by the
fact, that in spite of the countless number of human beings employed
in the silver mines within the whole period,[31] the mines present
exactly the same appearance to-day as they did within the recollection
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: begins, or ever the libation to the gods is poured,[4] to taste the
viands, out of sheer mistrust there may be mischief lurking in the cup
or platter.[5]
[3] Or, "from this . . . is almost absolutely debarred."
[4] "Or ever grace is said."
[5] Cf. "Cyrop." I. iii. 4.
Once more, the rest of mankind find in their fatherland a treasure
worth all else beside. The citizens form their own body-guard[6]
without pay or service-money against slaves and against evil-doers. It
is theirs to see that none of themselves, no citizen, shall perish by
a violent death. And they have advanced so far along the path of
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry: as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty
toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the
song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part
of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not,
and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their
temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of
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