| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Art of War by Sun Tzu: the T`U SHU, since they appear to apply the exact nuance required
in order to make sense. The commentators using the standard text
take this line to mean that maneuvers may be profitable, or they
may be dangerous: it all depends on the ability of the general.]
6. If you set a fully equipped army in march in order to
snatch an advantage, the chances are that you will be too late.
On the other hand, to detach a flying column for the purpose
involves the sacrifice of its baggage and stores.
[Some of the Chinese text is unintelligible to the Chinese
commentators, who paraphrase the sentence. I submit my own
rendering without much enthusiasm, being convinced that there is
The Art of War |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie: go to the chemist's shop?"
Poirot stared at me in surprise.
"Is it possible? My poor friend! You have not yet realized that
it was Miss Howard who went to the chemist's shop?"
"Miss Howard?"
"But, certainly. Who else? It was most easy for her. She is of
a good height, her voice is deep and manly; moreover, remember,
she and Inglethorp are cousins, and there is a distinct
resemblance between them, especially in their gait and bearing.
It was simplicity itself. They are a clever pair!"
"I am still a little fogged as to how exactly the bromide
The Mysterious Affair at Styles |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Moon-Face and Other Stories by Jack London: on three supports, was a small triangular board. Two of the supports were
easily moving casters. The third support, placed at the apex of the triangle,
was a lead pencil.
"Who's first?" Uncle Robert demanded.
There was a moment's hesitancy, then Aunt Mildred placed her hand on the
board, and said: "Some one has always to be the fool for the delectation of
the rest."
"Brave woman," applauded her husband. "Now, Mrs. Grantly, do your worst."
"I?" that lady queried. "I do nothing. The power, or whatever you care to
think it, is outside of me, as it is outside of all of you. As to what that
power is, I will not dare to say. There is such a power. I have had evidences
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