| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Symposium by Xenophon: Then Socrates, reverting in a manner to the charge: The young people
have fully proved their power to give us pleasure. Yet, charming as
they are, we still regard ourselves, no doubt, as much their betters.
What a shame to think that we should here be met together, and yet
make no effort ourselves to heighten the festivity![2]
[2] See Plat. "Prot." 347 D; "A company like this of ours, and men
such as we profess to be, do not require the help of another's
voice," etc.--Jowett. Cf. id. "Symp." 176: "To-day let us have
conversation instead; and if you will allow me, I will tell you
what sort of conversation."
Several of the company exclaimed at once: Be our director then
The Symposium |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne: through this obscurity, they reached a high marble wall, which
was overgrown with creeping plants, that made it shaggy with
their verdure. The wall seemed to have no door, nor any
windows, but rose up, lofty, and massive, and mysterious, and
was neither to be clambered over, nor, as far as Theseus could
perceive, to be passed through. Nevertheless, Ariadne did but
press one of her soft little fingers against a particular block
of marble and, though it looked as solid as any other part of
the wall, it yielded to her touch, disclosing an entrance just
wide enough to admit them They crept through, and the marble
stone swung back into its place.
Tanglewood Tales |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Memorabilia by Xenophon: country of their birth. When the appointed goal is reached they lie
not down in oblivion with dishonour, but bloom afresh--their praise
resounded on the lips of men for ever.[40] Toils like these, O son of
noble parents, Heracles, it is yours to meet with, and having endured,
to enter into the heritage assured you of transcendant happiness.'"
[38] Reading {ois prosekei}, or if {proseko}, translate "to whom I am
attached."
[39] Cf. "Econ." v. 8.
[40] Or, "so true is it, a branch is left them; undying honour to
their name!"
This, Aristippus, in rough sketch is the theme which Prodicus
The Memorabilia |
