Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of is here in full — 47 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield • Curated US English Learning Edition

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LONDON, May 8, O. S.

1750 MY DEAR FRIEND: At your age the love of pleasures is extremely natural, and the enjoyment of them not unbecoming: but the danger, at your age, is mistaking the object, and setting out wrong in the pursuit.

The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

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Chapter XIII Reading 1/9

Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield

Chapter XIII

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of is here in full — 47 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

LONDON, May 8, O. S. 1750 MY DEAR FRIEND: At your age the love of pleasures is extremely natural, and the enjoyment of them not unbecoming: but the danger, at your age, is mistaking the object, and setting out wrong in the pursuit. The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy. I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago. A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of

Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of is here in full — 47 sentences across 10 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/9 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

LONDON, May 8, O. S.

Line 2

Line 3

The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

Line 4

I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

/aɪ rɪˈmɛm.bər ə strɔːŋ ˈɪnstəns ʌv ðɪs ə ɡreɪt ˈmeni jɪrz əˈɡoʊ/

Line 5

A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

enjoyment noun US /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading “1750 MY DEAR FRIEND: At your age the love of pleasures is extremely natural, and the enjoyment of them not unbecoming: but the danger, at your age, is mistaking the object, and setting out wrong in the pursuit.”

Libertine noun US /ˈlɪbərtiːn/

a dissolute person; usually a man who is morally unrestrained

From this reading “A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.”

mistaking noun US /mɪˈsteɪkɪŋ/

putting the wrong interpretation on

profligacy noun US /ˈprɔːflɪɡæsi/

the trait of spending extravagantly

From this reading “The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.”

shine verb US /ʃaɪn/

be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading “A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.”

translation noun US /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading “A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.”

unbecoming adjective US /ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

vice noun US /vaɪs/

moral weakness

From this reading “The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.”

All words in this reading · 76

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.

1750

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

From this reading 1750 MY DEAR FRIEND: At your age the love of pleasures is extremely natural, and the enjoyment of them not unbecoming: but the danger, at your age, is mistaking the object, and setting out wrong in the pursuit.

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

From this reading LONDON, May 8, O. S.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

agenounUS /eɪdʒ/

how long something has existed

agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/

in the past

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

dazzles

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

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

DestroyedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɔɪd/

spoiled or ruined or demolished

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜːrmənd/

characterized by great determination

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

distinctlyadverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋktli/

clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/

the pleasure felt when having a good time

extremelyadverbUS /ekˈstriːmli/

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

fallverbUS /fɔːl/

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

fellownounUS /ˈfeloʊ/

a boy or man

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

Festin

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

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

FRIENDnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

instancenounUS /ˈɪnstəns/

an occurrence of something

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

LenounUS /lə/

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

LibertinenounUS /ˈlɪbərtiːn/

a dissolute person; usually a man who is morally unrestrained

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

LONDONnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading LONDON, May 8, O. S.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading LONDON, May 8, O. S.

mistakingnounUS /mɪˈsteɪkɪŋ/

putting the wrong interpretation on

Molieire's

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

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

OnounUS /oʊ/

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading LONDON, May 8, O. S.

objectnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekt/

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

PierrenounUS /piˈer/

capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

profligacynounUS /ˈprɔːflɪɡæsi/

the trait of spending extravagantly

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

pursuitnounUS /pərˈsuːt/

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

SnounUS /es/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading LONDON, May 8, O. S.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/

the context and environment in which something is set

shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/

be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

translationnounUS /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

unbecomingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

vicenounUS /vaɪs/

moral weakness

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A young fellow, determined to shine as a man of pleasure, was at the play called the "Libertine Destroyed," a translation of 'Le Festin de Pierre' of Molieire's.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading I remember a strong instance of this a great many years ago.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The character of a man of pleasure dazzles young eyes; they do not see their way to it distinctly, and fall into vice and profligacy.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

Chapter 13 of Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of by Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield holds 47 sentences, grouped into 10 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 13 of Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of contain?

Chapter 13 holds 47 sentences of Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of, unabridged, divided into 10 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 13 of Letters to His Son, 1750 On the Fine Art of by Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 47 sentences, grouped into 10 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.

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Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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