| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: case of engagements entered into by a democracy it is open to the
People to throw the blame on the single individual who spoke in favour
of some measure, or put it to the vote, and to maintain to the rest of
the world, "I was not present, nor do I approve of the terms of the
agreement." Inquiries are made in a full meeting of the People, and
should any of these things be disapproved of, it can at once discover
ten thousand excuses to avoid doing whatever they do not wish. And if
any mischief should spring out of any resolutions which the People has
passed in council, the People can readily shift the blame from its own
shoulders. "A handful of oligarchs[22] acting against the interests of
the People have ruined us." But if any good result ensue, they, the
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson: "You ask me an ungracious favour," said the Prince, "but I must
refuse you nothing."
The Colonel kissed his hand with the greatest affection; and at
that moment the carriage rolled under the archway of the Prince's
splendid residence.
An hour after, Florizel in his official robes, and covered with all
the orders of Bohemia, received the members of the Suicide Club.
"Foolish and wicked men," said he, "as many of you as have been
driven into this strait by the lack of fortune shall receive
employment and remuneration from my officers. Those who suffer
under a sense of guilt must have recourse to a higher and more
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde: trouble.
LADY WINDERMERE. [Moves to door R.] No trouble at all, Mrs.
Erlynne.
MRS. ERLYNNE. Thanks so much.
[Exit LADY WINDERMERE R.] You seem rather out of temper this
morning, Windermere. Why should you be? Margaret and I get on
charmingly together.
LORD WINDERMERE. I can't bear to see you with her. Besides, you
have not told me the truth, Mrs. Erlynne.
MRS. ERLYNNE. I have not told HER the truth, you mean.
LORD WINDERMERE. [Standing C.] I sometimes wish you had. I
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