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Letters to Dead Authors
Letters to Dead Authors

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Letters to Dead Authors is here in full — 135 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Letters to Dead Authors
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In Religion you beheld no promise of help.
When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.
In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.
Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of lifeprecisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantialin _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.
Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Letters to Dead Authors

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Letters to Dead Authors is here in full — 135 sentences across 27 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In Religion you beheld no promise of help.
Line 2
When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.
Line 3
In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.
Line 4
Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of lifeprecisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantialin _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.
Line 5
Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

All words in this reading · 105

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

accidents

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

Agnès

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

an

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

are

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

arguments

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

as

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

at

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

beheld

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Religion you beheld no promise of help.

belief

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

by

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

comedy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

comes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

conceived

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

credulity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

credulous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

desolate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

divertissement

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

Don

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

each

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

element

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

Epicurean

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

eternal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

every

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

excess

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

existence

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

Faith

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

fleeting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

follies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

for

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

girding

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

Gods

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

hear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

help

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Religion you beheld no promise of help.

his

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

how

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

In

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Religion you beheld no promise of help.

is

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

Jansenists

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

Jesuits

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

Juan

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

laughable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

laughter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

life

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

Like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

listen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

looking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

mankind

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

Marquises

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

mocking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

neighbour

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

no

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Religion you beheld no promise of help.

note

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

observer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Religion you beheld no promise of help.

often

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

on

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

our

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

Pascal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

permanent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

play

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

played

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

pleasure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

portrait

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

preached

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

precisely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

presented

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

private

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

promise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Religion you beheld no promise of help.

recognised

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

regard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

Religion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Religion you beheld no promise of help.

rivals

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

saw

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

seem

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

self-defence

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

sermons

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

sought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

spectator

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

superstition

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

surely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

Tartufe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

that

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

their

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

them

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

Thus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

time

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

tragic

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

unsubstantial

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

valet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

was

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

we

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

were

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

When

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

where

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From this reading Thus, desolate of belief, you sought for the permanent element of life—precisely where Pascal recognised all that was most fleeting and unsubstantial—in _divertissement_; in the pleasure of looking on, a spectator of the accidents of existence, an observer of the follies of mankind.

which

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the sermons preached to Agnès we surely hear your private laughter; in the arguments for credulity which are presented to Don Juan by his valet we listen to the eternal self-defence of superstition.

while

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

yet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Like the Gods of the Epicurean, you seem to regard our life as a play that is played, as a comedy; yet how often the tragic note comes in!

you

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In Religion you beheld no promise of help.

your

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When the Jesuits and Jansenists of your time saw, each of them, in Tartufe the portrait of their rivals (as each of the laughable Marquises in your play conceived that you were girding at his neighbour), you all the while were mocking every credulous excess of Faith.

Chapter 9 of Letters to Dead Authors by Andrew Lang holds 135 sentences, grouped into 27 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 9 of Letters to Dead Authors contain?

Chapter 9 holds 135 sentences of Letters to Dead Authors, unabridged, divided into 27 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of Letters to Dead Authors by Andrew Lang exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 135 sentences, grouped into 27 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 9 of Letters to Dead Authors?

Work through the 27 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 27 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Letters to Dead Authors

Common questions about reading Letters to Dead Authors by Andrew Lang on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Letters to Dead Authors?

Yes. All 1381 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1491 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Letters to Dead Authors is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1491, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Letters to Dead Authors take to read?

About 115 minutes of reading across 277 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Letters to Dead Authors section by section

How to work through Letters to Dead Authors section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of Letters to Dead Authors to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Letters to Dead Authors

Words and structures a reader meets early in Letters to Dead Authors, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters to Dead Authors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Longmans
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters to Dead Authors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Green
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters to Dead Authors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Preface
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Letters to Dead Authors; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.