| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Apology by Xenophon: are; and perhaps you will tell us if you know of any one who, under my
influence, has been changed from a religous into an irreligious man;
who, from being sober-minded, has become prodigal; from being a
moderate drinker has become a wine-bibber and a drunkard; from being a
lover of healthy honest toil has become effeminate, or under the
thrall of some other wicked pleasure."
[28] Lit. "whom do you know," and so throughout.
[29] Cf. Plat. "Phaed." 66 C.
[30] Or, "so attempered and adjusted." The phrase savours of "cynic."
theory.
[31] Or, "present no temptation to him"; lit. "that he stands in no
The Apology |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: a vacant seat several rows ahead of where he was sitting, Kent,
with a muttered apology to the people over whom he crawled in
his efforts to get out, hurried into it just as the vivacious
widow had finished taking the oath to "tell the truth and nothing
but the truth," and seated herself, with much rustling of silk
skirts in the witness chair.
"State your full name, madam," directed Coroner Penfield, eyeing
her dainty beauty with admiration.
"Margaret Perry Brewster," she answered. "Widow of Louis C.
Brewster. Both I and my late husband were born and lived in Los
Angeles, California."
The Red Seal |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Extracts From Adam's Diary by Mark Twain: made one to myself, though not aloud. It was this. I was thinking
about the Falls, and I said to myself, "How wonderful it is to see
that vast body of water tumble down there!" Then in an instant a
bright thought flashed into my head, and I let it fly, saying, "It
would be a deal more wonderful to see it tumble up there!"--and I
was just about to kill myself with laughing at it when all nature
broke loose in war and death, and I had to flee for my life.
"There," she said, with triumph, "that is just it; the Serpent
mentioned that very jest, and called it the First Chestnut, and
said it was coeval with the creation." Alas, I am indeed to blame.
Would that I were not witty; oh, would that I had never had that
|
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from King James Bible: rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
ROM 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is,
that they might be saved.
ROM 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not
according to knowledge.
ROM 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going
about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted
themselves unto the righteousness of God.
ROM 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every
one that believeth.
ROM 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law,
King James Bible |
