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The Vicar of Tours
The Vicar of Tours

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Vicar of Tours is here in full — 129 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.
Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”
(“My religion is I,” thought he.) God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”
Then, monsieur,” she replied, let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”
(“Yes, indeed, your religion is you.”)
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Vicar of Tours

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Vicar of Tours is here in full — 129 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.
Line 2
Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”
/rɪˈlɪdʒən ɪz tuː ˈlɔːfti fɔːr ðə ˈækʃənz ʌv men tuː ˈɪndʒər/
Line 3
(“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”
/maɪ rɪˈlɪdʒən ɪz aɪ θɔːt hiː ɡɑːd meɪks noʊ mɪˈsteɪk ɪn hɪz ˈdʒʌdʒmənts ˈmædəm aɪ ˈrekəɡnaɪz noʊ trəˈbjuːnəl bʌt hɪz/
Line 4
Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”
/ðen məˈsjɜːr ʃiː rɪˈplaɪd let ʌs ɪnˈdevər tuː brɪŋ ðə ˈdʒʌdʒmənts ʌv men ˈɪntuː ˈhɑːrməni wɪð ðə ˈdʒʌdʒmənts ʌv ɡɑːd/
Line 5
(“Yes, indeed, your religion is you.”)
/jes ˌɪnˈdiːd jɔːr rɪˈlɪdʒən ɪz juː/

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.

actions noun US /ˈækʃənz/

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading ““Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.””

endeavor noun US /ɪnˈdevər/

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading ““Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.””

harmony noun US /ˈhɑːrməni/

compatibility in opinion and action

From this reading ““Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.””

injure verb US /ˈɪndʒər/

cause injuries or bodily harm to

From this reading ““Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.””

Injury noun US /ˈɪndʒəri/

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading ““Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.”

judgments noun US /ˈdʒʌdʒmənts/

plural of “judgment” — an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading “(“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.””

recognize verb US /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading “(“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.””

tribunal noun US /trəˈbjuːnəl/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading “(“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.””

All words in this reading · 44

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.

actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading “Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”

bringverbUS /brɪŋ/

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading “Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

harmonynounUS /ˈhɑːrməni/

compatibility in opinion and action

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading (“Yes, indeed, your religion is you.”)

injureverbUS /ˈɪndʒər/

cause injuries or bodily harm to

From this reading “Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”

InjurynounUS /ˈɪndʒəri/

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading “Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”

judgmentsnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒmənts/

plural of “judgment” — an opinion formed by judging something

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading “Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”

madamenounUS /ˈmædəm/

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading “Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.

makesnounUS /meɪks/

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading “Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”

mistakenounUS /mɪˈsteɪk/

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

monsieurnounUS /məˈsjɜːr/

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”

recognizeverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

religionnounUS /rɪˈlɪdʒən/

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading “Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.

repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

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

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading “Religion is too lofty for the actions of men to injure.”

tribunalnounUS /trəˈbjuːnəl/

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading (“My religion is I,” thought he.) “God makes no mistake in His judgments, madame; I recognize no tribunal but His.”

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

vicar-generalnoun

(Roman Catholic Church) an administrative deputy who assists a bishop

From this reading “Injury to religion, madame!” exclaimed the vicar-general.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Then, monsieur,” she replied, “let us endeavor to bring the judgments of men into harmony with the judgments of God.”

YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading (“Yes, indeed, your religion is you.”)

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading (“Yes, indeed, your religion is you.”)

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading (“Yes, indeed, your religion is you.”)

Chapter 7 of The Vicar of Tours by Honoré de Balzac holds 129 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 7 of The Vicar of Tours contain?

Chapter 7 holds 129 sentences of The Vicar of Tours, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of The Vicar of Tours by Honoré de Balzac exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 129 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 7 of The Vicar of Tours?

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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Vicar of Tours

Common questions about reading The Vicar of Tours by Honoré de Balzac on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Vicar of Tours?

Yes. All 957 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1345 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Vicar of Tours is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1345, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Vicar of Tours take to read?

About 79 minutes of reading across 192 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Vicar of Tours section by section

How to work through The Vicar of Tours section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 Vicar of Tours

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Vicar of Tours, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Permanence
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vicar of Tours; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Inscribe
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vicar of Tours; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Twice
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vicar of Tours; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Illustrious
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Vicar of Tours; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.