| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Menexenus by Plato: Plato's life. Nor must we forget that in all his numerous citations from
the Platonic writings he never attributes any passage found in the extant
dialogues to any one but Plato. And lastly, we may remark that one or two
great writings, such as the Parmenides and the Politicus, which are wholly
devoid of Aristotelian (1) credentials may be fairly attributed to Plato,
on the ground of (2) length, (3) excellence, and (4) accordance with the
general spirit of his writings. Indeed the greater part of the evidence
for the genuineness of ancient Greek authors may be summed up under two
heads only: (1) excellence; and (2) uniformity of tradition--a kind of
evidence, which though in many cases sufficient, is of inferior value.
Proceeding upon these principles we appear to arrive at the conclusion that
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: in the brass; so you may strike her safely. And when you
have struck off her head, wrap it, with your face turned
away, in the folds of the goat-skin on which the shield
hangs, the hide of Amaltheie, the nurse of the AEgis-holder.
So you will bring it safely back to me, and win to yourself
renown, and a place among the heroes who feast with the
Immortals upon the peak where no winds blow.'
Then Perseus said, 'I will go, though I die in going. But
how shall I cross the seas without a ship? And who will show
me my way? And when I find her, how shall I slay her, if her
scales be iron and brass?'
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Democracy In America, Volume 2 by Alexis de Toqueville: willing to pause after so great an effort, and to enjoy what he
has won. The fear of risking what he has already obtained damps
the desire of acquiring what he has not got. Having conquered the
first and greatest impediment which opposed his advancement, he
resigns himself with less impatience to the slowness of his
progress. His ambition will be more and more cooled in
proportion as the increasing distinction of his rank teaches him
that he has more to put in jeopardy. If I am not mistaken, the
least warlike, and also the least revolutionary part, of a
democratic army, will always be its chief commanders.
[Footnote a: The position of officers is indeed much more secure
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