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Life and Death of Mr. Badman
Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Life and Death of Mr. Badman is here in full — 174 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Life and Death of Mr. Badman
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Atten.
I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.
Wise.
It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.
Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Life and Death of Mr. Badman is here in full — 174 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Atten.
Line 2
I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.
/aɪ hæv ˈɔːfən mjuːzd ɪn maɪ maɪnd wʌt ɪt ʃʊd biː ðæt ʃʊd meɪk men soʊ ˈkɑːmən ɪn ðə juːs ʌv ðə sɪn ʌv ˈswerɪŋ sɪns ðoʊz ðæt biː waɪz wɪl bɪˈliːv ðem ˈnevər ðə ˈsuːnər fɔːr ðæt/
Line 3
Wise.
/waɪz/
Line 4
It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.
Line 5
Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.

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.

abominable adjective US /əˈbɑːmənəbəl/

unequivocally detestable

From this reading “It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.”

Devil noun US /ˈdevəl/

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading “Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.”

mused verb US /mjuːzd/

past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading “I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.”

self noun US /self/

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading “It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.”

sin noun US /sɪn/

estrangement from god

From this reading “I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.”

sooner adverb US /ˈsuːnər/

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading “I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.”

Swearing noun US /ˈswerɪŋ/

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading “I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.”

wise adjective US /waɪz/

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading “I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.”

All words in this reading · 52

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.

1

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

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

33

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

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

abominableadjectiveUS /əˈbɑːmənəbəl/

unequivocally detestable

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

Atten

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

From this reading Atten.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

cannot

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

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

DevilnounUS /ˈdevəl/

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

musedverbUS /mjuːzd/

past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

promptings

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

From this reading Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.

selfnounUS /self/

your consciousness of your own identity

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

sinnounUS /sɪn/

estrangement from god

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

sooneradverbUS /ˈsuːnər/

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

SwearingnounUS /ˈswerɪŋ/

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

ThereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

wiseadjectiveUS /waɪz/

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading I have often mused in my mind, what it should be that should make men so common in the use of the sin of Swearing, since those that be wise, will believe them never the sooner for that.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Therefore it must be from the promptings of the spirit of the Devil within them.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It cannot be any thing that is good, you may be sure; because the thing it self is abominable: {33a} 1.

Chapter 4 of Life and Death of Mr. Badman by John Bunyan holds 174 sentences, grouped into 35 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 4 of Life and Death of Mr. Badman contain?

Chapter 4 holds 174 sentences of Life and Death of Mr. Badman, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Life and Death of Mr. Badman by John Bunyan exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 174 sentences, grouped into 35 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 4 of Life and Death of Mr. Badman?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Common questions about reading Life and Death of Mr. Badman by John Bunyan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Life and Death of Mr. Badman?

Yes. All 3214 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1986 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Life and Death of Mr. Badman is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1986, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Life and Death of Mr. Badman take to read?

About 267 minutes of reading across 643 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Life and Death of Mr. Badman section by section

How to work through Life and Death of Mr. Badman section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of Life and Death of Mr. Badman 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 Life and Death of Mr. Badman

Words and structures a reader meets early in Life and Death of Mr. Badman, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Edited
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life and Death of Mr. Badman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Brown
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life and Death of Mr. Badman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Manager
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life and Death of Mr. Badman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Life and Death of Mr. Badman; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.