| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from An Inland Voyage by Robert Louis Stevenson: it be in doubtful taste to repeat the statement too often in one
evening. I should not admire it in a duke, of course; but as times
go, the trait is honourable in a workman. On the other hand, it is
not at all a strong thing to put one's reliance upon logic; and our
own logic particularly, for it is generally wrong. We never know
where we are to end, if once we begin following words or doctors.
There is an upright stock in a man's own heart, that is trustier
than any syllogism; and the eyes, and the sympathies and appetites,
know a thing or two that have never yet been stated in controversy.
Reasons are as plentiful as blackberries; and, like fisticuffs,
they serve impartially with all sides. Doctrines do not stand or
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson: in a vast and dangerous swamp; and how to come at the path was a
concern of doubt, fatigue, and peril. Dutton, indeed, was of
opinion we should wait until the ship was gone, and fish up the
skiff; for any delay would be more wise than to go blindly ahead in
that morass. One went back accordingly to the basin-side and
(peering through the thicket) saw the fog already quite drunk up,
and English colours flying on the SARAH, but no movement made to
get her under way. Our situation was now very doubtful. The swamp
was an unhealthful place to linger in; we had been so greedy to
bring treasures that we had brought but little food; it was highly
desirable, besides, that we should get clear of the neighbourhood
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: gentleman--of Sulu origin--was certainly endowed with
statesmanlike qualities, although he was totally devoid of
personal charms. In truth he was perfectly repulsive, possessing
only one eye and a pockmarked face, with nose and lips horribly
disfigured by the small-pox. This unengaging individual often
strolled into Almayer's garden in unofficial costume, composed of
a piece of pink calico round his waist. There at the back of the
house, squatting on his heels on scattered embers, in close
proximity to the great iron boiler, where the family daily rice
was being cooked by the women under Mrs. Almayer's
superintendence, did that astute negotiator carry on long
Almayer's Folly |
