| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Tanach: Proverbs 17: 3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the LORD trieth the hearts.
Proverbs 17: 4 A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
Proverbs 17: 5 Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 17: 6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Proverbs 17: 7 Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.
Proverbs 17: 8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; whithersoever he turneth, he prospereth.
Proverbs 17: 9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.
Proverbs 17: 10 A rebuke entereth deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
Proverbs 17: 11 An rebellious man seeketh only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Proverbs 17: 12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Proverbs 17: 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
 The Tanach |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: fairest of all, if because yesterday the Lacedaemonians won you your
preservation by a vote which cost them nothing, you to-day shall bring
them help with arms, and at the price of peril. It is a proud day for
some of us to stand here and give what aid we can in pleading for
asistance to brave men. What, then, must you feel, who in very deed
are able to render that assistance! How generous on your parts, who
have been so often the friends and foes of Lacedaemon, to forget the
injury and remember only the good they have done! How noble of you to
repay, not for yourelves only, but for the sake of Hellas, the debt
due to those who proved themselves good men and true in her behalf!"
[44] In reference to the Seven against Thebes, see Herod. IX. xxvii.
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