| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Reason Discourse by Rene Descartes: according to what is most probable; and even although we should not remark
a greater probability in one opinion than in another, we ought
notwithstanding to choose one or the other, and afterwards consider it, in
so far as it relates to practice, as no longer dubious, but manifestly
true and certain, since the reason by which our choice has been
determined is itself possessed of these qualities. This principle was
sufficient thenceforward to rid me of all those repentings and pangs of
remorse that usually disturb the consciences of such feeble and uncertain
minds as, destitute of any clear and determinate principle of choice,
allow themselves one day to adopt a course of action as the best, which
they abandon the next, as the opposite.
Reason Discourse |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Economist by Xenophon: upon crops on land, and they will boldly pronounce opinion on the
nature of the soil itself, whether good or bad: this they blame and
that they praise. And these opinions for the most part coincide, I
notice, with the verdict of the skilful farmer as to quality of
soil.[9]
[8] Or, "the flying coastland, fields and farmyards."
[9] Lit. "And indeed the opinions they pronounce about 'a good soil'
mostly tally with the verdict of the expert farmer."
Isch. At what point shall I begin then, Socrates, to revive your
recollection[10] of the art of husbandry? since to explain to you the
processes employed in husbandry means the statement of a hundred
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde: scandal against her.
CECIL GRAHAM. [Coming towards him L.C.] My dear Arthur, I never
talk scandal. I only talk gossip.
LORD WINDERMERE. What is the difference between scandal and
gossip?
CECIL GRAHAM. Oh! gossip is charming! History is merely gossip.
But scandal is gossip made tedious by morality. Now, I never
moralise. A man who moralises is usually a hypocrite, and a woman
who moralises is invariably plain. There is nothing in the whole
world so unbecoming to a woman as a Nonconformist conscience. And
most women know it, I'm glad to say.
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