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The Man of Letters as a Man of Business
The Man of Letters as a Man of Business

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business is here in full — 126 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Man of Letters as a Man of Business
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.
In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.
There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.
If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.
Still, I would not have him attach too little consequence to the influence of the press.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Man of Letters as a Man of Business

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business is here in full — 126 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.
Line 2
In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.
Line 3
There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.
Line 4
If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.
Line 5
Still, I would not have him attach too little consequence to the influence of the press.

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.

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.”

All words in this reading · 74

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.

altogether

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

and

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

attach

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

From this reading Still, I would not have him attach too little consequence to the influence of the press.

author

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

be

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

believe

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

better

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

book

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

business

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

but

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

can

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

case

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

consequence

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

From this reading Still, I would not have him attach too little consequence to the influence of the press.

court

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

defy

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

does

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

either

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

enjoy

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

enjoyed

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

fact

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

for

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

from

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

good

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

has

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

have

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

he

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

him

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

himself

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

his

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

I

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

If

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

imaginary

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

In

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

influence

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

From this reading Still, I would not have him attach too little consequence to the influence of the press.

is

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

it

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

keep

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

little

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

From this reading Still, I would not have him attach too little consequence to the influence of the press.

may

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

no

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

not

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

of

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

one

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

only

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

opinion

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

or

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

other

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

out

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

people

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

please

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

press

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

probably

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

reading

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

safely

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

Still

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

From this reading Still, I would not have him attach too little consequence to the influence of the press.

sure

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

that

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

the

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

them

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

There

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

this

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

to

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

too

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

From this reading Still, I would not have him attach too little consequence to the influence of the press.

try

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

very

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

well

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

which

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

whom

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

From this reading There is only one whom he can safely try to please, and that is himself.

will

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

From this reading In fact, it will not only be better taste, but it will be better business for him to keep it altogether out of his mind.

would

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

writing

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

From this reading If he does this he will very probably please other people; but if he does not please himself he may be sure that he will not please them; the book which he has not enjoyed writing, no one will enjoy reading.

young

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

From this reading I would not have the young author, from this imaginary case, believe that it is well either to court or to defy the good opinion of the press.

Chapter 3 of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business by William Dean Howells holds 126 sentences, grouped into 26 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 The Man of Letters as a Man of Business contain?

Chapter 3 holds 126 sentences of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business by William Dean Howells exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 126 sentences, grouped into 26 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 The Man of Letters as a Man of Business?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 The Man of Letters as a Man of Business

Common questions about reading The Man of Letters as a Man of Business by William Dean Howells on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business?

Yes. All 367 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #724 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #724, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Man of Letters as a Man of Business take to read?

About 30 minutes of reading across 74 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Man of Letters as a Man of Business section by section

How to work through The Man of Letters as a Man of Business section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business 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 The Man of Letters as a Man of Business

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Man of Letters as a Man of Business, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Think
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Every
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ought
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Living
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Man of Letters as a Man of Business; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.