| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Euthyphro by Plato: what is loved by the gods is also hated by them. And therefore, Euthyphro,
in thus chastising your father you may very likely be doing what is
agreeable to Zeus but disagreeable to Cronos or Uranus, and what is
acceptable to Hephaestus but unacceptable to Here, and there may be other
gods who have similar differences of opinion.
EUTHYPHRO: But I believe, Socrates, that all the gods would be agreed as
to the propriety of punishing a murderer: there would be no difference of
opinion about that.
SOCRATES: Well, but speaking of men, Euthyphro, did you ever hear any one
arguing that a murderer or any sort of evil-doer ought to be let off?
EUTHYPHRO: I should rather say that these are the questions which they are
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: thou dost tell the truth?'
We sent not down the angels save by right; nor even then would these
be respited.
Verily, we have sent down the Reminder, and, verily, we will guard
it.
And we sent before thee among the sects of those of yore. But
there never came an apostle to them but they mocked at him. Such
conduct also will we put into the hearts of the sinners. They will not
believe therein, but the course of those of yore is run. But had we
opened to them a door of the sky and they had mounted up into it all
the while; then also had they said, 'Our eye-sight is only
 The Koran |