Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Bacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the Ancients
Bacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the Ancients

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Bacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the Ancients
Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.
Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.
To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.
They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.
Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Bacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the Ancients

Chapter V

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.
Line 2
Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.
Line 3
To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.
Line 4
They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.
Line 5
Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.”

Disposition noun US /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

the way something is arranged or positioned

From this reading “Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.”

Observation noun US /ˈobservation/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.”

Scholar noun US /ˈskɒl.ər/

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading “To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.”

All words in this reading · 93

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

508

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

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

abilities

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

ability

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

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

admire

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

affairs

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

affectation

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

best

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

bounded

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

business

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

chief

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

contemn

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

counsels

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

Crafty

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

delight

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

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

directions

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

discourse

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

the way something is arranged or positioned

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

execute

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

experience

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

expert

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

forth

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

general

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

give

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

humor

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

judge

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

judgment

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

L

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

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

large

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

learned

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

like

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

marshalling

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

men

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

much

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

natural

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

nature

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

observationnounUS /ˈobservation/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

ornament

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

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

own

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

particulars

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

perfect

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

perfected

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

perhaps

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

plants

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

plots

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

privateness

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

pruning

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

retiring

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

rules

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

serve

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

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

simple

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

sloth

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

spend

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

STUDIES

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

From this reading L.—OF STUDIES.[508] Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.

study

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

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

teach

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience; for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

too

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

use

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

From this reading Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business; for expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.

wholly

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

From this reading To spend too much time in studies, is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.

wisdom

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

wise

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.

won

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

From this reading Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them and above them, won by observation.