| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Crito by Plato: the only question which remains to be considered is, whether we shall do
rightly either in escaping or in suffering others to aid in our escape and
paying them in money and thanks, or whether in reality we shall not do
rightly; and if the latter, then death or any other calamity which may
ensue on my remaining here must not be allowed to enter into the
calculation.
CRITO: I think that you are right, Socrates; how then shall we proceed?
SOCRATES: Let us consider the matter together, and do you either refute me
if you can, and I will be convinced; or else cease, my dear friend, from
repeating to me that I ought to escape against the wishes of the Athenians:
for I highly value your attempts to persuade me to do so, but I may not be
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad: places at once affected me physically as if the mood of secrecy
had penetrated my very soul. Before an hour had elapsed since
the ship had begun to move, having occasion to ask the mate
(he stood by my side) to take a compass bearing of the pagoda,
I caught myself reaching up to his ear in whispers.
I say I caught myself, but enough had escaped to startle the man.
I can't describe it otherwise than by saying that he shied.
A grave, preoccupied manner, as though he were in possession
of some perplexing intelligence, did not leave him henceforth.
A little later I moved away from the rail to look at the compass
with such a stealthy gait that the helmsman noticed it--
 The Secret Sharer |