| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from On Revenues by Xenophon: are built, or slaves purchased, etc., these portions will begin to pay
at once. In fact, the bit-by-bit method of proceeding will be more
advantageous than a simultaneous carrying into effect of the whole
plan, to this extent: if we set about erecting buildings wholesale[41]
we shall make a more expensive and worse job of it than if we finish
them off gradually. Again, if we set about bidding for hundreds of
slaves at once we shall be forced to purchase an inferior type at a
higher cost. Whereas, if we proceed tentatively, as we find ourselves
able,[42] we can complete any well-devised attempt at our leisure,[43]
and, in case of any obvious failure, take warning and not repeat it.
Again, if everything were to be carried out at once, it is we, sirs,
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic: Presently some one was touching him on the shoulder--
an incisive, pointed touch--and he checked himself,
and lifted his face.
"You will have to get up, and present some sort of
an appearance, and go away at once," Celia said to him
in low, rapid tones. "Some gentlemen are at the door,
whom I have been waiting for."
As he stupidly sat up and tried to collect his faculties,
Celia had opened the door and admitted two visitors.
The foremost was Father Forbes; and he, with some whispered,
smiling words, presented to her his companion, a tall,
The Damnation of Theron Ware |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: by which Milady fastened herself in. On her side, but as
softly as possible, Kitty turned the key of the lock, and
then D'Artagnan opened the closet door.
"Oh, good Lord!" said Kitty, in a low voice, "what is the
matter with you? How pale you are!"
"The abominable creature" murmured D'Artagnan.
"Silence, silence, begone!" said Kitty. "There is nothing
but a wainscot between my chamber and Milady's; every word
that is uttered in one can be heard in the other."
"That's exactly the reason I won't go," said D'Artagnan.
"What!" said Kitty, blushing.
The Three Musketeers |
