What is the meaning of the phrase “get the better of” in Paragraph 21 ?

我认为，这几十年里报纸已经成为一种习惯，而不是一种功能。报纸已享有太长时间的特权，任何变化都会让人们难以接受。实际上，我不知道近20年里还有哪种媒体的变化像日报那样小。反对变化就是停止发展，进而使报纸失去作用。

如果你一辈子都拒绝吊在眼前的诱饵，那就根本算不上活着了。

大概17岁到24岁期间，我试图摈弃这个念头，但这样做的同时我清楚这违背了我的本性，我知道自己迟早都要安定下来写作。

五个月前她得到杰利在战场上失踪的消息。

心情好时，我可以谱写出恢弘的交响乐，绘制出壮丽的画卷。

这家事务所还强烈反对离婚、追求女色以及酗酒。

Do you think art is something that has no meaning and no purpose at all? Why or why not?

As a princess sees a lonely beggar and is filled with pity, so the busy girl of Heaven saw this one and was filled with pity.

The girl’s movement on the road was like the rapid movement of a skilled hand on the strings of a guitar.

Here men say: “God! We haven’t a moment to spare.” Women whisper: “Let’s move on, time’s a-flying.”