| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin: and in this particular case the intermediate form would be eminently liable
to the inroads of closely allied forms existing on both sides of it. But a
far more important consideration, as I believe, is that, during the process
of further modification, by which two varieties are supposed on my theory
to be converted and perfected into two distinct species, the two which
exist in larger numbers from inhabiting larger areas, will have a great
advantage over the intermediate variety, which exists in smaller numbers in
a narrow and intermediate zone. For forms existing in larger numbers will
always have a better chance, within any given period, of presenting further
favourable variations for natural selection to seize on, than will the
rarer forms which exist in lesser numbers. Hence, the more common forms,
On the Origin of Species |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne: company of martyrs and confessors who by their holy works are found
pleasing to God Almighty, curse him' (Obadiah.)
'May the holy choir of the holy virgins, who for the honour of Christ have
despised the things of the world, damn him--May all the saints, who from
the beginning of the world to everlasting ages are found to be beloved of
God, damn him--May the heavens and earth, and all the holy things remaining
therein, damn him,' (Obadiah) 'or her,' (or whoever else had a hand in
tying these knots.)
'May he (Obadiah) be damn'd wherever he be--whether in the house or the
stables, the garden or the field, or the highway, or in the path, or in the
wood, or in the water, or in the church.--May he be cursed in living, in
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Master and Man by Leo Tolstoy: stupidity!' he thought, recalling his unloved wife, and he
rolled over into his old place at the front part of the sledge.
'My uncle once spent a whole night like this,' he reflected,
'and was all right.' But another case came at once to his
mind. 'But when they dug Sebastian out he was dead--stiff like
a frozen carcass. If I'd only stopped the night in Grishkino
all this would not have happened!'
And wrapping his coat carefully round him so that none of the
warmth of the fur should be wasted but should warm him all
over, neck, knees, and feet, he shut his eyes and tried to
sleep again. But try as he would he could not get drowsy, on
Master and Man |
