| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Bickerstaff-Partridge Papers by Jonathan Swift: for a cheat and impostor, if I fail in any singular particular of
moment. I believe, any man who reads this paper, will look upon
me to be at least a person of as much honesty and understanding,
as a common maker of almanacks. I do not lurk in the dark; I am
not wholly unknown in the world; I have set my name at length, to
be a mark of infamy to mankind, if they shall find I deceive
them.
In one thing I must desire to be forgiven, that I talk more
sparingly of home-affairs: As it will be imprudence to discover
secrets of state, so it would be dangerous to my person; but in
smaller matters, and that are not of publick consequence, I shall
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Duchesse de Langeais by Honore de Balzac: is interested in some woman, no doubt."
"I used to think that the Marquis de Ronquerolles was one of his
friends----" the Duchess began sweetly.
"I have never heard my brother say that he was acquainted with
him."
Mme de Langeais did not reply. Mme de Serizy concluded from the
Duchess's silence that she might apply the scourge with impunity
to a discreet friendship which she had seen, with bitterness of
soul, for a long time past.
"So you miss that melancholy personage, do you? I have heard
most extraordinary things of him. Wound his feelings, he never
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Vendetta by Honore de Balzac: Labedoyere was my protector and my friend; without him, I am alone.
To-morrow I myself may be condemned; my only fortune was my pay. I
spent my last penny to come here and try to snatch Labedoyere from his
fate; death is, therefore, a necessity for me. When a man decides to
die he ought to know how to sell his life to the executioner. I was
thinking just now that the life of an honest man is worth that of two
traitors, and the blow of a dagger well placed may give immortality."
This spasm of despair alarmed the painter, and even Ginevra, whose own
nature comprehended that of the young man. She admired his handsome
face and his delightful voice, the sweetness of which was scarcely
lessened by its tones of fury. Then, all of a sudden, she poured a
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