| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Economist by Xenophon: well as you do; but I do not find myself a whit the more included
among those who gain.
Soc. Because you look at them just as you might at the actors in a
tragedy or comedy, and with the same intent--your object being to
delight the ear and charm the eye, but not, I take it, to become
yourself a poet. And there you are right enough, no doubt, since you
have no desire to become a playright. But, when circumstances compel
you to concern yourself with horsemanship, does it not seem to you a
little foolish not to consider how you are to escape being a mere
amateur in the matter, especially as the same creatures which are good
for use are profitable for sale?
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Walden by Henry David Thoreau: the house sweet and free from all ill odors and sights. Having been
my own butcher and scullion and cook, as well as the gentleman for
whom the dishes were served up, I can speak from an unusually
complete experience. The practical objection to animal food in my
case was its uncleanness; and besides, when I had caught and cleaned
and cooked and eaten my fish, they seemed not to have fed me
essentially. It was insignificant and unnecessary, and cost more
than it came to. A little bread or a few potatoes would have done
as well, with less trouble and filth. Like many of my
contemporaries, I had rarely for many years used animal food, or
tea, or coffee, etc.; not so much because of any ill effects which I
Walden |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield: been to Munchen. All the Exhibitions, all the Art and Soul life of Germany
are in Munchen. There is the Wagner Festival in August, and Mozart and a
Japanese collection of pictures--and there is the beer! You do not know
what good beer is until you have been to Munchen. Why, I see fine ladies
every afternoon, but fine ladies, I tell you, drinking glasses so high."
He measured a good washstand pitcher in height, and I smiled.
"If I drink a great deal of Munchen beer I sweat so," said Herr Hoffmann.
"When I am here, in the fields or before my baths, I sweat, but I enjoy it;
but in the town it is not at all the same thing."
Prompted by the thought, he wiped his neck and face with his dinner napkin
and carefully cleaned his ears.
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