| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Middlemarch by George Eliot: last burlesque. Lydgate's spots of commonness lay in the complexion
of his prejudices, which, in spite of noble intention and sympathy,
were half of them such as are found in ordinary men of the world:
that distinction of mind which belonged to his intellectual ardor,
did not penetrate his feeling and judgment about furniture, or women,
or the desirability of its being known (without his telling)
that he was better born than other country surgeons. He did not
mean to think of furniture at present; but whenever he did so it
was to be feared that neither biology nor schemes of reform would
lift him above the vulgarity of feeling that there would be an
incompatibility in his furniture not being of the best.
Middlemarch |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: them. Such then was the intent and doing of the king, for,
'seeing, he did not see, and hearing, he did not understand.'
But, learning that some monks still remained, of whom he fondly
imagined that not a trace was left, he became angry above
measure, and his fury was hotly kindled against them. And he
commanded heralds to scour all the city and all the country,
proclaiming that after three days no monk whatsoever should be
found therein. But and if any were discovered after the set
time, they should be delivered to destruction by fire and sword.
"For," said he, "these be they that persuade the people to
worship the Crucified as God." Meanwhile a thing befell, that
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Bureaucracy by Honore de Balzac: Martin.
Though the Saillards' circle of acquaintance increased, neither their
ideas nor their manners and customs changed. The saint's-days of
father, mother, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild were carefully
observed, also the anniversaries of birth and marriage, Easter,
Christmas, New Year's day, and Epiphany. These festivals were preceded
by great domestic sweepings and a universal clearing up of the house,
which added an element of usefulness to the ceremonies. When the
festival day came, the presents were offered with much pomp and an
accompaniment of flowers,--silk stockings or a fur cap for old
Saillard; gold earrings and articles of plate for Elisabeth or her
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