| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Russia in 1919 by Arthur Ransome: are on our side and are in an enormous majority."
I said that would not be so in the Ukraine, where property
among the peasants is much more equally distributed.
Lenin. "No. And there, in the Ukraine, you will certainly
see our policy modified. Civil war, whatever happens, is
likely to be more bitter in the Ukraine than elsewhere,
because there the instinct of property has been further
developed in the peasantry, and the minority and majority
will be more equal."
He asked me if I meant to return, saying that I could go
down to Kiev to watch the revolution there as I had
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Marie by H. Rider Haggard: believe that he would almost as soon see his girl marry a half-caste as
an Englishman, and especially a poor Englishman, as you are, and unless
you can make money, must remain. I have little to leave you, Allan."
"I might make money, father, out of ivory, for instance. You know I am
a good shot."
"Allan, I do not think you will ever make much money, it is not in your
blood; or, if you do, you will not keep it. We are an old race, and I
know our record, up to the time of Henry VIII. at any rate. Not one of
us was ever commercially successful. Let us suppose, however, that you
should prove yourself the exception to the rule, it can't be done at
once, can it? Fortunes don't grow in a night, like mushrooms."
Marie |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Melmoth Reconciled by Honore de Balzac: certain it is that there are people who are fit for nothing but to be
cashiers, just as the bent of a certain order of mind inevitably makes
for rascality. But, oh marvel of our civilization! Society rewards
virtue with an income of a hundred louis in old age, a dwelling on a
second floor, bread sufficient, occasional new bandana handkerchiefs,
an elderly wife and her offspring.
So much for virtue. But for the opposite course, a little boldness, a
faculty for keeping on the windward side of the law, as Turenne
outflanked Montecuculi, and Society will sanction the theft of
millions, shower ribbons upon the thief, cram him with honors, and
smother him with consideration.
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