| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Philebus by Plato: the original statement, but I still feel the defect of which I just now
complained.
SOCRATES: Are you going to ask, Philebus, what this has to do with the
argument?
PHILEBUS: Yes, that is a question which Protarchus and I have been long
asking.
SOCRATES: Assuredly you have already arrived at the answer to the question
which, as you say, you have been so long asking?
PHILEBUS: How so?
SOCRATES: Did we not begin by enquiring into the comparative eligibility
of pleasure and wisdom?
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie: Shall we have it up here, or go down to the restaurant?"
Tuppence expressed a preference for the latter, and Julius bowed
to her decision.
Oysters had just given place to Sole Colbert when a card was
brought to Hersheimmer.
"Inspector Japp, C.I.D. Scotland Yard again. Another man this
time. What does he expect I can tell him that I didn't tell the
first chap? I hope they haven't lost that photograph. That
Western photographer's place was burned down and all his
negatives destroyed--this is the only copy in existence. I got it
from the principal of the college there."
Secret Adversary |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Sons of the Soil by Honore de Balzac: who owned property but who possessed nothing of their own, like
Tonsard's mother. Laroche, an old laborer, possessed absolutely
nothing; he was not, like Tonsard, hot-blooded and vicious,--his
motive power was a cold, dull hatred; he toiled in silence with a
sullen face; work was intolerable to him, but he had to work to live;
his features were hard and their expression repulsive. Though sixty
years old, he was still strong, except that his back was bent; he saw
no future before him, no spot that he could call his own, and he
envied those who possessed the land; for this reason he had no pity on
the forests of Les Aigues, and took pleasure in despoiling them
uselessly.
|
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Memorabilia by Xenophon: healing by help of anybody, nor have I sought to provide myself with
any teacher among medical men. Indeed, to put it briefly, I have been
ever on my guard not only against learning anything from the
profession, but against the very notion of having studied medicine at
all. If, however, you will be so good as to confer on me this post, I
promise I will do my best to acquire skill by experimenting on your
persons." Every one present laughed at the exordium (and there the
matter dropped).
[9] Or, "the pretty exordium . . . now in course of conposition. He
must at all hazards avoid the suspicion of having picked up any
crumb of learning from anybody; how can he help therefore
The Memorabilia |
