| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Protagoras by Plato: them too short?
Certainly not, I said.
But short enough?
Yes, I said.
Shall I answer what appears to me to be short enough, or what appears to
you to be short enough?
I have heard, I said, that you can speak and teach others to speak about
the same things at such length that words never seemed to fail, or with
such brevity that no one could use fewer of them. Please therefore, if you
talk with me, to adopt the latter or more compendious method.
Socrates, he replied, many a battle of words have I fought, and if I had
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first
object. When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing.
In short, I will do my best."
"Perhaps it will be as well if you discourage his coming here so
very often. At least, you should not REMIND you mother of
inviting him."
"As I did the other day," said Elizabeth with a conscious smile:
"very true, it will be wise in me to refrain from THAT. But do
not imagine that he is always here so often. It is on your
account that he has been so frequently invited this week. You
know my mother's ideas as to the necessity of constant company
 Pride and Prejudice |