| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Tanach: Proverbs 25: 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Proverbs 25: 20 As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
Proverbs 25: 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
Proverbs 25: 22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
Proverbs 25: 23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Proverbs 25: 24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 25: 25 As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
Proverbs 25: 26 As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
Proverbs 25: 27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
Proverbs 25: 28 Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
Proverbs 26: 1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
The Tanach |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift: have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly,
of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our
shop-keepers, who, if a resolution could now be taken to buy only
our native goods, would immediately unite to cheat and exact upon
us in the price, the measure, and the goodness, nor could ever
yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing, though
often and earnestly invited to it.
Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like
expedients, 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope, that
there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them
into practice.
A Modest Proposal |
