| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: was not allowed. And why? Simply in order that the citizens of Sparta
might not take the infection of dishonesty and light-living from
foreigners; whereas now I am very well aware that those who are
reputed to be leading citizens have but one ambition, and that is to
live to the end of their days as governors-general on a foreign
soil.[4] The days were when their sole anxiety was to fit themselves
to lead the rest of Hellas. But nowadays they concern themselves much
more to wield command than to be fit themselves to rule. And so it has
come to pass that whereas in old days the states of Hellas flocked to
Lacedaemon seeking her leadership[5] against the supposed wrongdoer,
now numbers are inviting one another to prevent the Lacedaemonians
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: not from me to you, it is from a reader of R. H. to the author of
the same, and it says nothing, and has nothing to say, but thank
you.
We are going to re-read CASAMASSIMA as a proper pendant. Sir, I
think these two are your best, and care not who knows it.
May I beg you, the next time RODERICK is printed off, to go over
the sheets of the last few chapters, and strike out 'immense' and
'tremendous'? You have simply dropped them there like your pocket-
handkerchief; all you have to do is to pick them up and pouch them,
and your room - what do I say? - your cathedral! - will be swept
and garnished. - I am, dear sir, your delighted reader,
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Juana by Honore de Balzac: The future was very gloomy for this young woman. She lived in constant
apprehension of some disaster. This presentiment was in her soul as a
contagion is in the air, but she had strength of mind and will to
disguise her anguish beneath a smile. Juana had ceased to think of
herself. She used her influence to make Diard resign his various
pretensions and to show him, as a haven, the peaceful and consoling
life of home. Evils came from society--why not banish it? In his home
Diard found peace and respect; he reigned there. She felt herself
strong to accept the trying task of making him happy,--he, a man
dissatisfied with himself. Her energy increased with the difficulties
of life; she had all the secret heroism necessary to her position;
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