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Representative Men: Seven Lectures
Representative Men: Seven Lectures

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Representative Men: Seven Lectures is here in full — 418 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Representative Men: Seven Lectures
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.
The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.
The reconciler has not yet appeared.
If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.
Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?
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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.

Representative Men: Seven Lectures

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Representative Men: Seven Lectures is here in full — 418 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.
Line 2
The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.
/ðə ˈhjuːmən maɪnd stændz ˈevər ɪn pərˈpleksəti dɪˈmændɪŋ ˈɪntəlekt dɪˈmændɪŋ ˈsæŋktɪti ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt ˈiːkwəli ʌv iːtʃ wɪˈθaʊt ðə ˈʌðər/
Line 3
The reconciler has not yet appeared.
Line 4
If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.
/ɪf wiː ˈtaɪər ʌv ðə seɪnts ˈʃeɪkspiːr ɪz ˈaʊər ˈsɪti ʌv ˈrefjuːdʒ/
Line 5
Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

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.

demanding adjective US /dɪˈmændɪŋ/

requiring more than usually expected or thought due; especially great patience and effort and skill

From this reading “The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.”

essence noun US /ˈesəns/

the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

From this reading “Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?”

instincts noun US /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/

plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading “Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?”

perplexity noun US /pərˈpleksəti/

trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

From this reading “The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.”

precedence noun US /ˈpresədəns/

status established in order of importance or urgency

From this reading “Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?”

saints noun US /seɪnts/

plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading “If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.”

sanctity noun US /ˈsæŋktɪti/

the quality of being holy

From this reading “The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.”

tire verb US /ˈtaɪər/

lose interest or become bored with something or somebody

From this reading “If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.”

All words in this reading · 64

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.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The reconciler has not yet appeared.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

citynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.

criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/

disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

demandingadjectiveUS /dɪˈmændɪŋ/

requiring more than usually expected or thought due; especially great patience and effort and skill

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

drawverbUS /drɔː/

cause to move by pulling

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

equallyadverbUS /ˈiːkwəli/

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

essencenounUS /ˈesəns/

the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/

highest in quality

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The reconciler has not yet appeared.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/

characteristic of humanity

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.

impatientadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt/

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/

plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/

knowledge and intellectual ability

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The reconciler has not yet appeared.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

others

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

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.

perplexitynounUS /pərˈpleksəti/

trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

precedencenounUS /ˈpresədəns/

status established in order of importance or urgency

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

presentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/

in the near future

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

reconcilernoun

someone who tries to bring peace

From this reading The reconciler has not yet appeared.

refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/

a safe place

From this reading If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.

relationnounUS /riˈleɪʃən/

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

renderverbUS /ˈrendər/

cause to become

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

saintsnounUS /seɪnts/

plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.

sanctitynounUS /ˈsæŋktɪti/

the quality of being holy

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/

English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

standsnounUS /stændz/

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

subsists

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

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

Swedenborgnoun

Swedish theologian (1688-1772)

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

teachverbUS /tiːtʃ/

impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

tireverbUS /ˈtaɪər/

lose interest or become bored with something or somebody

From this reading If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading If we tire of the saints, Shakespeare is our city of refuge.

WhenceadverbUS /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading Yet the instincts presently teach, that the problem of essence must take precedence of all others,--the questions of Whence?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The human mind stands ever in perplexity, demanding intellect, demanding sanctity, impatient equally of each without the other.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading I have sometimes thought that he would render the greatest service to modern criticism, who shall draw the line of relation that subsists between Shakespeare and Swedenborg.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The reconciler has not yet appeared.

Chapter 3 of Representative Men: Seven Lectures by Ralph Waldo Emerson holds 418 sentences, grouped into 84 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 3 of Representative Men: Seven Lectures contain?

Chapter 3 holds 418 sentences of Representative Men: Seven Lectures, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Representative Men: Seven Lectures by Ralph Waldo Emerson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 418 sentences, grouped into 84 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 3 of Representative Men: Seven Lectures?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Representative Men: Seven Lectures

Common questions about reading Representative Men: Seven Lectures by Ralph Waldo Emerson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Representative Men: Seven Lectures?

Yes. All 2540 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6312 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Representative Men: Seven Lectures is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6312, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Representative Men: Seven Lectures take to read?

About 211 minutes of reading across 508 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Representative Men: Seven Lectures section by section

How to work through Representative Men: Seven Lectures section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of Representative Men: Seven Lectures 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 Representative Men: Seven Lectures

Words and structures a reader meets early in Representative Men: Seven Lectures, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Napoleon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Representative Men: Seven Lectures; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
World
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Representative Men: Seven Lectures; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Great
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Representative Men: Seven Lectures; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Natural
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Representative Men: Seven Lectures; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.