| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: and the uncertainty and inconstancy of mortal fortune, and cast
it aside, and laid up for themselves everlasting blessings, and
laid hold of that life which never faileth, nor is broken by
death.
"These then are the marvellous holy men whose examples we, that
are poor and vile, strive to imitate, but cannot attain to the
high level of the life of these heavenly citizens. Nevertheless,
so far as is possible for our weakness and feeble power, we take
the stamp of their lives, and wear their habit: even though we
fail to equal their works; for we are assured that this holy
profession is a means to perfection and an aid to the
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith: myself but this painful effort of resolution.
MISS HARDCASTLE. Then go, sir: I'll urge nothing more to detain you.
Though my family be as good as hers you came down to visit, and my
education, I hope, not inferior, what are these advantages without
equal affluence? I must remain contented with the slight approbation
of imputed merit; I must have only the mockery of your addresses, while
all your serious aims are fixed on fortune.
Enter HARDCASTLE and SIR CHARLES from behind.
SIR CHARLES. Here, behind this screen.
HARDCASTLE. Ay, ay; make no noise. I'll engage my Kate covers him
with confusion at last.
She Stoops to Conquer |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Europeans by Henry James: "In one case I should have my revenge; in another case I
should have my liberty."
Acton gave a little laugh as he helped her into the carriage.
"At any rate," he said, "take good care of that paper."
A couple of days afterward he asked her to come and see his house.
The visit had already been proposed, but it had been put off in
consequence of his mother's illness. She was a constant invalid,
and she had passed these recent years, very patiently, in a great
flowered arm-chair at her bedroom window. Lately, for some days,
she had been unable to see any one; but now she was better,
and she sent the Baroness a very civil message. Acton had wished
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