| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Parmenides by Plato: Then that which becomes older than itself must also, at the same time,
become younger than itself?
Yes.
But again, it is true that it cannot become for a longer or for a shorter
time than itself, but it must become, and be, and have become, and be about
to be, for the same time with itself?
That again is inevitable.
Then things which are in time, and partake of time, must in every case, I
suppose, be of the same age with themselves; and must also become at once
older and younger than themselves?
Yes.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie: without it. It meant explanations, and general awkwardness. In
another moment he had reason to bless his luck. He stumbled over
a prostrate figure, which started up with a yell of alarm and
dashed off down the street. Tommy drew back into a doorway. In a
minute he had the pleasure of seeing his two pursuers, of whom
the German was one, industriously tracking down the red herring!
Tommy sat down quietly on the doorstep and allowed a few moments
to elapse while he recovered his breath. Then he strolled gently
in the opposite direction. He glanced at his watch. It was a
little after half-past five. It was rapidly growing light. At
the next corner he passed a policeman. The policeman cast a
Secret Adversary |
