| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Walden by Henry David Thoreau: the effects of their actions, and not partly by their intentions,
they would deserve to be classed and punished with those mischievous
persons who put obstructions on the railroads.
But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who
call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no
government, but at once a better government. Let every man make
known what kind of government would command his respect, and that
will be one step toward obtaining it.
After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in
the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and for a long
period continue, to rule, is not because they are most likely to be
Walden |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Whirligigs by O. Henry: off the shackles of Hymen. He had been known to build
up instead of demolishing, to reunite instead of severing,
to lead erring and foolish ones back into the fold instead
of scattering the flock. Often had he by his eloquent
and moving appeals sent husband and wife, weeping, back
into each other's arms. Frequently he had coached
childhood so successfully that, at the psychological
moment (and at a given signal) the plaintive pipe of
"Papa, won't you turn home adain to me and muvver?"
had won the day and upheld the pillars of a tottering home.
Unprejudiced persons admitted that Lawyer Gooch
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Gorgias by Plato: gives pleasure to the spectators; can you give any other account of
personal beauty?
POLUS: I cannot.
SOCRATES: And you would say of figures or colours generally that they were
beautiful, either by reason of the pleasure which they give, or of their
use, or of both?
POLUS: Yes, I should.
SOCRATES: And you would call sounds and music beautiful for the same
reason?
POLUS: I should.
SOCRATES: Laws and institutions also have no beauty in them except in so
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