George Bush's infamous glimpse into Putin's soul failed to recognise what nostalgic cold warriors have always insisted was pinned to his sleeve: a heart that beats for lost imperial glory, and a ruthless ambition to match.
For instance, while Socrates may be accidentally thin, since he can change, that is, gain and lose weight, three cannot fail to be odd nor, if Plato is correct, can the soul fail to be immortal.
For the guilty, on the other hand, even a strong body is to no avail, since his soul fails him, "believing the vengeance coming to him is for his impieties" (Antiphon 5).
If the great lure of Amateur Night was the thrilling prospect of helping to discover a bright new talent, a major part of its attraction was the slightly perverse pleasure of watching some poor soul fail miserably.
Several of these worthy souls had failed standardisation but were allowed to carry on (paid at several times the normal rate).
Most souls, having failed to purge their sins in this life, will be required to pass the flaming sword that bars the entrance to the earthly paradise (see further Crouzel 1972).
But if her mission was to change Britain's soul, she failed entirely.
And Wilkie, the third son, was a lost soul who failed at business and at marriage.
She appeared to offer him financial security; and he, despite some mild breast-beating over selling his soul, entirely failed to see what it was being sold for, or to whom.
