| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry: Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the
song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part
of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not,
and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their
temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of
experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Golden Sayings of Epictetus by Epictetus: What then is to be done? Cannot a fellow-traveller be found that
is honest and loyal, stong and secure against surprise? Thus doth
the wise man reason, considering that if he would pass through in
safety, he must attach himself unto God.
CXXXVIII
"How understandest thou attach himself to God?"
That what God wills, he should will also; that what God
wills not, neither should he will.
"How then may this come to pass?"
By considering the movements of God, and His administration.
CXXXIX
The Golden Sayings of Epictetus |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay: conquer the heights that evening. But when he glanced back again at
Poolingdred, he remembered Joiwind and Panawe, and grew more
tranquil. He decided to make his bed at this spot, and to set off as
soon after daybreak as he should awake.
He drank at the river, washed himself, and lay down on the bank to
sleep. By this time, so far had his idea progressed, that he cared
nothing for the possible dangers of the night - he confided in his
star.
Branchspell set, the day faded, night with its terrible weight came
on, and through it all Maskull slept. Long before midnight, however,
he was awakened by a crimson glow in the sky. He opened his eyes,
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