| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Reason Discourse by Rene Descartes: from its adjuncts- besides, he will find almost all of them so ill
described, or even so false (because those who made them have wished to
see in them only such facts as they deemed conformable to their
principles), that, if in the entire number there should be some of a
nature suited to his purpose, still their value could not compensate for
the time what would be necessary to make the selection. So that if there
existed any one whom we assuredly knew to be capable of making discoveries
of the highest kind, and of the greatest possible utility to the public;
and if all other men were therefore eager by all means to assist him in
successfully prosecuting his designs, I do not see that they could do
aught else for him beyond contributing to defray the expenses of the
Reason Discourse |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart: "Don't worry, Bassett," he said, his eyes on Dick. "We haven't any
reason to like each other, but he's bigger than I am. I won't hit
him." Then he hardened his voice. "But I'll remind you, Clark, that
personally I don't give a God-damn whether you swing or not. Also
that I can keep my mouth shut, walk out of here, and have you in
quod in the next hour, if I decide to."
"But you won't," Bassett said smoothly. "You won't, any more than
you did it last spring, when you sent that little letter of yours
to David Livingstone."
"No. You're right. I won't. But if I tell you what I came here
to say, Bassett, get this straight. It's not because I'm afraid of
The Breaking Point |
