| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Apology by Plato: and in this they certainly were wiser than I was. But I observed that even
the good artisans fell into the same error as the poets;--because they were
good workmen they thought that they also knew all sorts of high matters,
and this defect in them overshadowed their wisdom; and therefore I asked
myself on behalf of the oracle, whether I would like to be as I was,
neither having their knowledge nor their ignorance, or like them in both;
and I made answer to myself and to the oracle that I was better off as I
was.
This inquisition has led to my having many enemies of the worst and most
dangerous kind, and has given occasion also to many calumnies. And I am
called wise, for my hearers always imagine that I myself possess the wisdom
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy: to perceive her under her beaded veil. She walked round the outside
of the listening throng, passing behind the lovers, whose movements
had an unexpected fascination for her to-day. Scrutinizing them narrowly
from the rear she noticed that Jude's hand sought Sue's as they stood,
the two standing close together so as to conceal, as they supposed,
this tacit expression of their mutual responsiveness.
"Silly fools--like two children!" Arabella whispered to herself morosely,
as she rejoined her companions, with whom she preserved a preoccupied silence.
Anny meanwhile had jokingly remarked to Vilbert on Arabella's hankering
interest in her first husband.
"Now," said the physician to Arabella, apart; "do you want
Jude the Obscure |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from A House of Pomegranates by Oscar Wilde: thee gone. There is war in the mountains of Tartary, and the kings
of each side are calling to thee. The Afghans have slain the black
ox, and are marching to battle. They have beaten upon their
shields with their spears, and have put on their helmets of iron.
What is my valley to thee, that thou shouldst tarry in it? Get
thee gone, and come here no more.'
'Nay,' answered Death, 'but till thou hast given me a grain of corn
I will not go.'
But Avarice shut her hand, and clenched her teeth. 'I will not
give thee anything,' she muttered.
And Death laughed, and took up a black stone, and threw it into the
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