| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Duchesse de Langeais by Honore de Balzac: vanity. And it is certainly true that for everyone, man or
woman, there is a wealth of pleasure in the superiority of the
beloved. Is she set so high by birth that a contemptuous glance
can never wound her? is she wealthy enough to surround herself
with state which falls nothing short of royalty, of kings, of
finance during their short reign of splendour? is she so
ready-witted that a keen-edged jest never brings her into
confusion? beautiful enough to rival any woman?--Is it such a
small thing to know that your self-love will never suffer through
her? A man makes these reflections in the twinkling of an eye.
And how if, in the future opened out by early ripened passion, he
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Democracy In America, Volume 1 by Alexis de Toqueville: satisfying these doubts, and then he begins to believe afresh: he
no longer lays hold on a truth in its most shadowy and uncertain
form, but he sees it clearly before him, and he advances onwards
by the light it gives him. *c
[Footnote c: It may, however, be doubted whether this rational
and self-guiding conviction arouses as much fervor or
enthusiastic devotedness in men as their first dogmatical
belief.]
When the liberty of the press acts upon men who are in the
first of these three states, it does not immediately disturb
their habit of believing implicitly without investigation, but it
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Rig Veda: with
your most flaming weapon.
9 O Maruts, ye consuming Gods, enjoy this offering brought
for you,
To help us, ye who slay the foe.
10 Sharers of household sacrifice, come, Maruts, stay not far
away,
That ye may help us, Bounteous Ones.
11 Here, Self-strong Maruts, yea, even here. ye Sages with
your
sunbright skins
The Rig Veda |
