| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Psychology of Revolution by Gustave le Bon: peasants by turning them into proprietors. Special laws forced
the landlords to sell the peasants a portion of their lands, and
banks intended to lend the buyers the necessary purchase-money
were created. The sums lent were to be repaid by small annuities
deducted from the product of the sale of the crops.
Assured of the neutrality of the peasants, the government could
contend with the fanatics who were burning the towns, throwing
bombs among the crowds, and waging a merciless warfare. All
those who could be taken were killed. Such extermination is the
only method discovered since the beginning of the world by which
a society can be protected against the rebels who wish to destroy
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Moran of the Lady Letty by Frank Norris: her eyes never leaving those of the beach-comber. "He's pretty
sure he could seize the 'Bertha' and never pay us a stiver.
They've come down to spy on us, and they're doing it, too.
There's no good trying to rush that camp now. They'll go back and
tell the crew that we know their lay."
It was still very dark. Near the hulk of the beached "Bertha
Millner" were grouped her crew, each armed with a long and lance-
like cutting-in spade, watching and listening to the conference of
the chiefs. The moon, almost down, had flushed blood-red,
violently streaking the gray, smooth surface of the bay with her
reflection. The tide was far out, rippling quietly along the
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson: some halberts in the hall, and not so stupid but what I could gather he
was prepared to arrest me there and then, should it appear advisable.
"So, Mr. David, this is you?" said he.
"Where I fear I am not overly welcome, my lord," said I. "And I would
like before I go further to express my sense of your lordship's good
offices, even should they now cease."
"I have heard of your gratitude before," he replied drily, "and I think
this can scarce be the matter you called me from my wine to listen to.
I would remember also, if I were you, that you still stand on a very
boggy foundation."
"Not now, my lord, I think," said I; "and if your lordship will but
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