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On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience

Chapter I

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Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
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On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.
Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.
Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.
The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.
The standing army is only an arm of the standing government.
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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.

On the Duty of Civil Disobedience

Chapter I

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.
Line 2
Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.
Line 3
Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.
Line 4
The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.
Line 5
The standing army is only an arm of the standing government.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.”

All words in this reading · 75

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

1849

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

accept

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

acted

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

all

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

also

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

amounts

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

arm

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

From this reading The standing army is only an arm of the standing government.

army

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

best

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

Carried

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

Civil

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

deserve

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

Disobedience

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

DutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

expedient

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

From this reading Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

finally

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

Government

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

governments

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

From this reading Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

governs

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

heartily

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

inexpedient

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

From this reading Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

kind

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

like

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

many

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

men

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

more

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

most

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

From this reading Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

motto

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

objections

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

only

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

From this reading The standing army is only an arm of the standing government.

original

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

out

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

prepared

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

prevail

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

rapidly

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

Resistance

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

see

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

sometimes

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

From this reading Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

systematically

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

title

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

up

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

usually

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

From this reading Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient.

weighty

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

From this reading The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading On the Duty of Civil Disobedience 1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Government I heartily accept the motto,—“That government is best which governs least;” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all;” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.