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Nature
Nature

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Nature is here in full — 122 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Nature
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
PROSPECTS.
IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.
That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.
Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.
The savant becomes unpoetic.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Nature

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of Nature is here in full — 122 sentences across 25 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
PROSPECTS.
/ˈprɑːspekts/
Line 2
IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.
/ɪn ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz riˈspektɪŋ ðə lɔːz ʌv ðə wɜːrld ənd ðə freɪm ʌv θɪŋz ðə ˈhaɪəst ˈriːzən ɪz ˈɔːlweɪz ðə ˈtruːɪst/
Line 3
That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.
Line 4
Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.
/ˌemˈpɪrɪkəl ˈsaɪəns ɪz æpt tuː klaʊd ðə saɪt ənd baɪ ðə ˈveri ˈnɑːlədʒ ʌv ˈfʌŋkʃənz ənd ˈprɑːsesəz tuː bərˈiːv ðə ˈstuːdənt ʌv ðə ˈmænli ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən ʌv ðə hoʊl/
Line 5
The savant becomes unpoetic.

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.

bereave verb US /bərˈiːv/

deprive through death

From this reading “Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.”

Empirical adjective US /ˌemˈpɪrɪkəl/

derived from experiment and observation rather than theory

From this reading “Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.”

functions noun US /ˈfʌŋkʃənz/

plural of “function” — (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

From this reading “Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.”

processes noun US /ˈprɑːsesəz/

plural of “process” — a particular course of action intended to achieve a result

From this reading “Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.”

respecting verb US /riˈspektɪŋ/

-ing form of “respect” — regard highly; think much of

From this reading “IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.”

savant noun US /səˈvɑːnt/

someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

From this reading “The savant becomes unpoetic.”

truest adjective US /ˈtruːɪst/

superlative of “true” — consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading “IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.”

verities noun US /ˈverətiz/

plural of “verity” — conformity to reality or actuality

From this reading “That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.”

All words in this reading · 53

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.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

aptadjectiveUS /æpt/

(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

becomesverbUS /bɪˈkʌmz/

third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The savant becomes unpoetic.

bereaveverbUS /bərˈiːv/

deprive through death

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

cloudverbUS /klaʊd/

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/

a long and thoughtful observation

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

deepestadjectiveUS /ˈdiːpəst/

superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

EmpiricaladjectiveUS /ˌemˈpɪrɪkəl/

derived from experiment and observation rather than theory

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

eternaladjectiveUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəl/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

faintadjectiveUS /feɪnt/

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/

to a faint degree or weakly perceived

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

frameverbUS /freɪm/

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

functionsnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃənz/

plural of “function” — (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

highestadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪəst/

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

lawsnounUS /lɔːz/

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

manlyadjectiveUS /ˈmænli/

possessing qualities befitting a man

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/

capable of happening or existing

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

processesnounUS /ˈprɑːsesəz/

plural of “process” — a particular course of action intended to achieve a result

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

PROSPECTSnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/

plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success

From this reading PROSPECTS.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

refinedadjectiveUS /rəˈfaɪnd/

(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

respectingverbUS /riˈspektɪŋ/

-ing form of “respect” — regard highly; think much of

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

savantnounUS /səˈvɑːnt/

someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

From this reading The savant becomes unpoetic.

sciencenounUS /ˈsaɪəns/

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

seemsverbUS /siːmz/

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

sightnounUS /saɪt/

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

truestadjectiveUS /ˈtruːɪst/

superlative of “true” — consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

unpoetic

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

From this reading The savant becomes unpoetic.

veritiesnounUS /ˈverətiz/

plural of “verity” — conformity to reality or actuality

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading That which seems faintly possible--it is so refined, is often faint and dim because it is deepest seated in the mind among the eternal verities.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Empirical science is apt to cloud the sight, and, by the very knowledge of functions and processes, to bereave the student of the manly contemplation of the whole.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading IN inquiries respecting the laws of the world and the frame of things, the highest reason is always the truest.

Chapter 9 of Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson holds 122 sentences, grouped into 25 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, 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 Nature contain?

Chapter 9 holds 122 sentences of Nature, unabridged, divided into 25 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 122 sentences, grouped into 25 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 Nature?

Work through the 25 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 25 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 Nature

Common questions about reading Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Nature?

Yes. All 782 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #29433 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Nature is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #29433, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Nature take to read?

About 65 minutes of reading across 157 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Nature section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of Nature 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 Nature

Words and structures a reader meets early in Nature, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Subtle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Nature; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chain
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Nature; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Countless
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Nature; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rings
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Nature; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.