| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: the cities should some day win their freedom and lay strong hands upon
them; the incontinent, as satisfied with momentary license; and the
slavish-natured, for the simple reason that they have not themselves
the slightest aspiration after freedom.[4]
[3] Or, "the dishonest, the lascivious, and the servile."
[4] "They have no aspiration even to be free," "they are content to
wallow in the slough of despond." The {adikoi} (unjust) correspond
to the {dikaioi} (just), {akrateis} (incontinent) to the {sophoi}
(wise) (Breit. cf. "Mem." III. ix. 4, {sophian de kai sophrosunen
ou diorizen}), {andrapododeis} (servile) to the {kasmioi},
{andreioi} (orderly, courageous).
|
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce: And his twistings are greatly admired.
Hassan Brubuddy
FASHION, n. A despot whom the wise ridicule and obey.
A king there was who lost an eye
In some excess of passion;
And straight his courtiers all did try
To follow the new fashion.
Each dropped one eyelid when before
The throne he ventured, thinking
'Twould please the king. That monarch swore
He'd slay them all for winking.
 The Devil's Dictionary |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from A Horse's Tale by Mark Twain: "I don't know as I do, sir."
"Well, it's this. You see, it won't ever do for me, a brigadier in
the regular army, to preside over that infant court-martial - there
isn't any precedent for it, don't you see. Very well. I will go
on examining authorities and reporting progress until she is well
enough to get me out of this scrape by presiding herself. Do you
get it now?"
"Oh, yes, sir, I get it, and it's good, I'll go and fix it with
her. LAY DOWN! and stay where you are."
"Why, what harm is he doing?"
"Oh, it ain't any harm, but it just vexes me to see him act so."
|