| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: fortitude of his head, and the depth of his discretion, MYNHEER
might possibly oversee both in his new vineyard; and by discovering
his nakedness, become a laughing stock to his people.
Even so it fares with the Poor Traveller, sailing and posting
through the politer kingdoms of the globe, in pursuit of knowledge
and improvements.
Knowledge and improvements are to be got by sailing and posting for
that purpose; but whether useful knowledge and real improvements is
all a lottery; - and even where the adventurer is successful, the
acquired stock must be used with caution and sobriety, to turn to
any profit: - but, as the chances run prodigiously the other way,
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Walter Scott: This tenement, once the manor house of the Earl's Closes, we
still retain a slight hold upon; for, in some family
arrangements, it had been settled upon Aunt Margaret during the
term of her life. Upon this frail tenure depends, in a great
measure, the last shadow of the family of Bothwell of Earl's
Closes, and their last slight connection with their paternal
inheritance. The only representative will then be an infirm old
man, moving not unwillingly to the grave, which has devoured all
that were dear to his affections.
When I have indulged such thoughts for a minute or two, I enter
the mansion, which is said to have been the gate-house only of
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Works of Samuel Johnson by Samuel Johnson: effects of his confidence will then appear in great
attempts and great performances: if he should not
fully complete his design, he will at least advance
it so far as to leave an easier task for him that
succeeds him; and even though he should wholly fail,
he will fail with honour.
But from the opposite errour, from torpid
despondency, can come no advantage; it is the frost of
the soul, which binds up all its powers, and congeals
life in perpetual sterility. He that has no hopes of
success, will make no attempts; and where nothing
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