| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce: of the ignorant, who parrot it from one another with never a thought
of its absurdity. In the Latin, "_Exceptio probat regulam_" means
that the exception _tests_ the rule, puts it to the proof, not
_confirms_ it. The malefactor who drew the meaning from this
excellent dictum and substituted a contrary one of his own exerted an
evil power which appears to be immortal.
EXCESS, n. In morals, an indulgence that enforces by appropriate
penalties the law of moderation.
Hail, high Excess -- especially in wine,
To thee in worship do I bend the knee
Who preach abstemiousness unto me --
The Devil's Dictionary |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Amazing Interlude by Mary Roberts Rinehart: to stay on and help her."
He was satisfied then. He went back to the arm of her chair and kissed
her.
"All right," he said. "I've suffered the tortures of the damned, but
- that fixes it. Now let's talk about something else. I'm sick of
this war talk."
"I'd like to tell you about my little house. And poor Rene -"
"Who was Rene?" he demanded.
"The orderly."
.
"The one on the step, with a rifle?"
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from My Antonia by Willa Cather: My papa always said you were an awful smart boy.'
I said I was going to be whatever I pleased. `Won't you be surprised,
Miss Tiny, if I turn out to be a regular devil of a fellow?'
They laughed until a glance from Norwegian Anna checked them; the high-school
principal had just come into the front part of the shop to buy bread
for supper. Anna knew the whisper was going about that I was a sly one.
People said there must be something queer about a boy who showed no interest
in girls of his own age, but who could be lively enough when he was with Tony
and Lena or the three Marys.
The enthusiasm for the dance, which the Vannis had kindled,
did not at once die out. After the tent left town, the Euchre
My Antonia |
