Summary“National Prejudice” by Oliver Goldsmith

AnnotatingParaphrasing and QuotingOrganizing

AnnotatingAs I am one of that sauntering tribe

of mortals, who spend the greatest part of their time in taverns, coffee houses, and other places of public resort, I have thereby an opportunity of observing an infinite variety of characters, which, to a person of contemplative turn, is a much higher entertainment than a view of all the curiosities of art and nature. In one of these, my late rambles, I accidentally fell into the company of half a dozen gentlemen, who were engaged in a warm dispute about some political affair; the decision of which, as they were equally divided in their sentiments, they thought proper to refer to me, which naturally drew me in for a share of the conversation.

Identify unknown words

Saunter: to walk about in an idle or leisurely manner.

AnnotatingAs I am one of that sauntering tribe

of mortals, who spend the greatest part of their time in taverns, coffee houses, and other places of public resort, I have thereby an opportunity of observing an infinite variety of characters, which, to a person of contemplative turn, is a much higher entertainment than a view of all the curiosities of art and nature. In one of these, my late rambles, I accidentally fell into the company of half a dozen gentlemen, who were engaged in a warm dispute about some political affair; the decision of which, as they were equally divided in their sentiments, they thought proper to refer to me, which naturally drew me in for a share of the conversation.

Identify unknown words

Saunter: to walk about in an idle or leisurely manner.

Contemplative: marked by or given to contemplation;

Contemplation: an act of considering with attention

AnnotatingAs I am one of that sauntering tribe

of mortals, who spend the greatest part of their time in taverns, coffee houses, and other places of public resort, I have thereby an opportunity of observing an infinite variety of characters, which, to a person of contemplative turn, is a much higher entertainment than a view of all the curiosities of art and nature. In one of these, my late rambles, I accidentally fell into the company of half a dozen gentlemen, who were engaged in a warm dispute about some political affair; the decision of which, as they were equally divided in their sentiments, they thought proper to refer to me, which naturally drew me in for a share of the conversation.

Identify unknown words

Saunter: to walk about in an idle or leisurely manner.

Contemplative: marked by or given to contemplation;

Contemplation: an act of considering with attention

Sentiment: an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling

AnnotatingAs I am one of that sauntering tribe

of mortals, who spend the greatest part of their time in taverns, coffee houses, and other places of public resort, I have thereby an opportunity of observing an infinite variety of characters, which, to a person of contemplative turn, is a much higher entertainment than a view of all the curiosities of art and nature. In one of these, my late rambles, I accidentally fell into the company of half a dozen gentlemen, who were engaged in a warm dispute about some political affair; the decision of which, as they were equally divided in their sentiments, they thought proper to refer to me, which naturally drew me in for a share of the conversation.

Identify main ideas

ParaphrasingAs I am one of that sauntering tribe

of mortals, who spend the greatest part of their time in taverns, coffee houses, and other places of public resort, I have thereby an opportunity of observing an infinite variety of characters, which, to a person of contemplative turn, is a much higher entertainment than a view of all the curiosities of art and nature. In one of these, my late rambles, I accidentally fell into the company of half a dozen gentlemen, who were engaged in a warm dispute about some political affair; the decision of which, as they were equally divided in their sentiments, they thought proper to refer to me, which naturally drew me in for a share of the conversation.

Restate the main ideas in your own words:

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places

Sometimes people invited him to take part in their conversations

QuotingAs I am one of that sauntering tribe

of mortals, who spend the greatest part of their time in taverns, coffee houses, and other places of public resort, I have thereby an opportunity of observing an infinite variety of characters, which, to a person of contemplative turn, is a much higher entertainment than a view of all the curiosities of art and nature. In one of these, my late rambles, I accidentally fell into the company of half a dozen gentlemen, who were engaged in a warm dispute about some political affair; the decision of which, as they were equally divided in their sentiments, they thought proper to refer to me, which naturally drew me in for a share of the conversation.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

This paragraph really has no outstanding language suitable for quoting.

OrganizingAs I am one of that sauntering tribe

of mortals, who spend the greatest part of their time in taverns, coffee houses, and other places of public resort, I have thereby an opportunity of observing an infinite variety of characters, which, to a person of contemplative turn, is a much higher entertainment than a view of all the curiosities of art and nature. In one of these, my late rambles, I accidentally fell into the company of half a dozen gentlemen, who were engaged in a warm dispute about some political affair; the decision of which, as they were equally divided in their sentiments, they thought proper to refer to me, which naturally drew me in for a share of the conversation.

Organize your paraphrased and quoted material into your own sentence: Goldsmith often watched

people when he visited public places

Sometimes people invited him to take part in their conversations

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations.

AnnotatingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Identify unknown words

Multiplicity: a great number

AnnotatingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Identify unknown words

multiplicity: a great number

merit: a praiseworthy quality

AnnotatingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Identify unknown words

multiplicity: a great number

merit: a praiseworthy quality

avaricious: greedy of gain, excessively acquisitive especially in seeking to hoard riches

AnnotatingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Identify unknown words

multiplicity: a great number

merit: a praiseworthy quality

avaricious: greedy of gain, excessively acquisitive especially in seeking to hoard riches

sycophant: a servile self-seeking flatterer

AnnotatingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Identify unknown words

multiplicity: a great number

merit: a praiseworthy quality

avaricious: greedy of gain, excessively acquisitive especially in seeking to hoard riches

sycophant: a servile self-seeking flatterer

clemency: disposition to be merciful and especially to moderate the severity of punishment due

AnnotatingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Identify main ideas

ParaphrasingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Restate the main ideas in your own words:

They discussed the characteristics of people from other European countries

One man stated that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were drunks, and the Spaniards were overbearing and cruel.

In contrast, the man stated the English possessed only the best qualities

QuotingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

“beastly gluttons” “surly tyrants” “bravery, generosity,

clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world”

OrganizingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Incorporate the quotes into your paraphrases: “beastly gluttons” “surly tyrants” One man stated that the Dutch

were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were drunks, and the Spaniards were overbearing and cruel.

One man stated that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants.”

OrganizingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Incorporate the quotes into your paraphrases:

“bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world”

In contrast, the man stated the English possessed only the best qualities

In contrast, the man stated that in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.”

OrganizingAmongst a multiplicity of other

topics, we took occasion to talk of the different characters of the several nations of Europe; when one of the gentlemen, cocking his hat, and assuming such an air of importance as if he had possessed all the merit of the English nation in his own person, declared that the Dutch were a parcel of avaricious wretches; the French a set of flattering sycophants; that the Germans were drunken sots, and beastly gluttons; and the Spaniards proud, haughty, and surly tyrants; but that in bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.

Organize your paraphrased and quoted material into your own sentence:

One man stated that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants.”

In contrast, the man stated that in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.”

Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.”

Organizing Combine your summarized paragraphs

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations. Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.”

AnnotatingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Identify unknown words

judicious: having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment

AnnotatingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Identify unknown words

judicious: having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment

approbation: approval

AnnotatingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Identify unknown words

judicious: having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment

approbation: approval gravity: dignity or sobriety of

bearing

AnnotatingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Identify unknown words

judicious: having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment

approbation: approval gravity: dignity or sobriety of

bearing affected: assumed artificially

or falsely

AnnotatingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Identify unknown words

judicious: having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment

approbation: approval gravity: dignity or sobriety of

bearing affected: assumed artificially

or falsely muse: to become absorbed in

thought

AnnotatingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Identify unknown words

judicious: having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment

approbation: approval gravity: dignity or sobriety of

bearing affected: assumed artificially

or falsely muse: to become absorbed in

thought attend: to pay attention to

AnnotatingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Identify main ideas

ParaphrasingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Restate the main ideas in your own words

Everyone agreed with the man but Goldsmith

Goldsmith pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t have to respond to the statement

QuotingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

This paragraph really has no outstanding language suitable for quoting.

OrganizingThis very learned and judicious

remark was received with a general smile of approbation by all the company—all, I mean, but your humble servant; who, endeavoring to keep my gravity as well as I could, and reclining my head upon my arm, continued for some time in a posture of affected thoughtfulness, as if I had been musing on something else, and did not seem to attend to the subject of conversation; hoping by these means to avoid the disagreeable necessity of explaining myself, and thereby depriving the gentleman of his imaginary happiness.

Organize your paraphrased and quoted material into your own sentence: Everyone agreed with the man

but Goldsmith Goldsmith pretended to be

thinking about something else so he wouldn’t have to respond to the statement

Everyone in the group agreed with the man except Goldsmith who pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t be forced to disagree with the speaker.

Organizing Combine your summarized paragraphs

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations. Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.” Everyone in the group agreed with the man except Goldsmith who pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t be forced to disagree with the speaker.

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words pseudo: being apparently

rather than actually as stated

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words pseudo: being apparently

rather than actually as stated contradiction: act or an

instance of contradicting contradict: to assert the

contrary of

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words pseudo: being apparently

rather than actually as stated contradiction: act or an

instance of contradicting contradict: to assert the

contrary of ratify: to approve and sanction

formally

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words pseudo: being apparently

rather than actually as stated contradiction: act or an

instance of contradicting contradict: to assert the

contrary of ratify: to approve and sanction

formally suffrage: a vote given in

deciding a controverted question

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words pseudo: being apparently

rather than actually as stated contradiction: act or an

instance of contradicting contradict: to assert the

contrary of ratify: to approve and sanction

formally suffrage: a vote given in

deciding a controverted question

inexpressible: indescribable

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words pseudo: being apparently

rather than actually as stated contradiction: act or an

instance of contradicting contradict: to assert the

contrary of ratify: to approve and sanction

formally suffrage: a vote given in

deciding a controverted question

inexpressible: indescribable maxim: a general truth

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words pseudo: being apparently

rather than actually as stated contradiction: act or an

instance of contradicting contradict: to assert the

contrary of ratify: to approve and sanction

formally suffrage: a vote given in

deciding a controverted question

inexpressible: indescribable maxim: a general truth preempt: to appropriate, seize,

or take for oneself before others

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words pseudo: being apparently

rather than actually as stated contradiction: act or an

instance of contradicting contradict: to assert the

contrary of ratify: to approve and sanction

formally suffrage: a vote given in

deciding a controverted question

inexpressible: indescribable maxim: a general truth preempt: to appropriate, seize,

or take for oneself before others

impartial: unprejudiced

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words scruple: an uneasy feeling

arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words scruple: an uneasy feeling

arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action

frugal: avoiding waste, thrifty

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words scruple: an uneasy feeling

arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action

frugal: avoiding waste, thrifty temperate: exercising

moderation and self-restraint

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words scruple: an uneasy feeling

arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action

frugal: avoiding waste, thrifty temperate: exercising

moderation and self-restraint staid: characterized by dignity

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words scruple: an uneasy feeling

arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action

frugal: avoiding waste, thrifty temperate: exercising

moderation and self-restraint staid: characterized by dignity sedate: serenely deliberate,

composed, and dignified in character or manner

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words scruple: an uneasy feeling

arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action

frugal: avoiding waste, thrifty temperate: exercising

moderation and self-restraint staid: characterized by dignity sedate: serenely deliberate,

composed, and dignified in character or manner

rash: characterized by or resulting from ill-considered haste or boldness

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words scruple: an uneasy feeling

arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action

frugal: avoiding waste, thrifty temperate: exercising

moderation and self-restraint staid: characterized by dignity sedate: serenely deliberate,

composed, and dignified in character or manner

rash: characterized by or resulting from ill-considered haste or boldness

impetuous: impulsive and passionate

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify unknown words scruple: an uneasy feeling

arising from conscience or principle that tends to hinder action

frugal: avoiding waste, thrifty temperate: exercising

moderation and self-restraint staid: characterized by dignity sedate: serenely deliberate,

composed, and dignified in character or manner

rash: characterized by or resulting from ill-considered haste or boldness

impetuous: impulsive and passionate

adversity: a state of hardship or affliction

AnnotatingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify main ideas

ParaphrasingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Restate the main ideas in your own words The speaker wanted everyone

to agree with him He asked Goldsmith if he

agreed Goldsmith stated that he would

not make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study these peoples

Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be good handlers of money, the French self-restrained, the Germans hard-workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate

Goldsmith agrees that the English have good qualities, but they might also have some poorer qualities also

QuotingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

“frugal and industrious”

“temperate and polite”

“rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity”

OrganizingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Incorporate the quotes into your paraphrases: “frugal and industrious” “temperate and polite” Goldsmith suggested that the

Dutch might actually be good handlers of money, the French self-restrained, the Germans hard-workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate

Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate.

OrganizingBut my pseudo-patriot had no mind to let me

escape so easily. Not satisfied that his opinion should pass without contradiction, he was determined to have it ratified by the suffrage of every one in the company; for which purpose addressing himself to me with an air of inexpressible confidence, he asked me if I was not of the same way of thinking. As I am never forward in giving my opinion, especially when I have reason to believe that it will not be agreeable; so, when I am obliged to give it, I always hold it for a maxim to speak my real sentiments. I therefore told him that, for my own part, I should not have ventured to talk in such a preemptory strain, unless I had made the tour of Europe, and examined the manners of these several nations with great care and accuracy: that, perhaps, a more impartial judge would not scruple to affirm that the Dutch were more frugal and industrious, the French more temperate and polite, the Germans more hardy and patient of labor and fatigue, and the Spaniards more staid and sedate, than the English; who, though undoubtedly brave and generous, were at the same time rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.

Incorporate the quotes into your paraphrases:

“rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity”

Goldsmith agrees that the English have good qualities, but they might also have some poorer qualities also

Goldsmith agrees that the English have good qualities, but they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.”

Organizing

Organize your paraphrased and quoted material into your own sentence:

The speaker wanted everyone to agree with him

He asked Goldsmith if he agreed Goldsmith stated that he would not

make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study these peoples

Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate.

Goldsmith agrees that the English have good qualities, but they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.”

The speaker, wanting everyone to agree with his assessment of the characters of these European countries, asked Goldsmith if he was of the same mind. Goldsmith, however, stated that he could not make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study of the citizens of each of these countries. In fact, Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate. And while Goldsmith agreed that the English have good qualities, they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.”

Organizing Combine your summarized paragraphs

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations. Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.” Everyone in the group agreed with the man except Goldsmith who pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t be forced to disagree with the speaker. The speaker, however, wanted everyone to agree with his assessment of the characters of these European countries, and asked Goldsmith if he was of the same mind. Goldsmith reluctantly stated that he could not make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study of the citizens of each of these countries. In fact, Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate. And while Goldsmith agreed that the English have good qualities, they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.”

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify unknown words contemptuous: manifesting,

feeling, or expressing contempt

contempt: lack of respect or reverence for something

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify unknown words contemptuous: manifesting,

feeling, or expressing contempt contempt: lack of respect or

reverence for something conscience: sensitive regard for

fairness or justice

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify unknown words contemptuous: manifesting,

feeling, or expressing contempt contempt: lack of respect or

reverence for something conscience: sensitive regard for

fairness or justice inveterate: firmly established by

long persistence

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify unknown words contemptuous: manifesting,

feeling, or expressing contempt contempt: lack of respect or

reverence for something conscience: sensitive regard for

fairness or justice inveterate: firmly established by

long persistence forfeit: to lose or lose the right to

by some error, offense, or crime

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify unknown words contemptuous: manifesting,

feeling, or expressing contempt contempt: lack of respect or

reverence for something conscience: sensitive regard for

fairness or justice inveterate: firmly established by

long persistence forfeit: to lose or lose the right to

by some error, offense, or crime vain: marked by futility or

ineffectualness

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify unknown words contemptuous: manifesting,

feeling, or expressing contempt contempt: lack of respect or

reverence for something conscience: sensitive regard for

fairness or justice inveterate: firmly established by

long persistence forfeit: to lose or lose the right to

by some error, offense, or crime vain: marked by futility or

ineffectualness reckoning: a summing up

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify unknown words contemptuous: manifesting,

feeling, or expressing contempt contempt: lack of respect or

reverence for something conscience: sensitive regard for

fairness or justice inveterate: firmly established by

long persistence forfeit: to lose or lose the right to

by some error, offense, or crime vain: marked by futility or

ineffectualness reckoning: a summing up prejudice: preconceived judgment

or opinion (2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify unknown words contemptuous: manifesting,

feeling, or expressing contempt contempt: lack of respect or

reverence for something conscience: sensitive regard for

fairness or justice inveterate: firmly established by

long persistence forfeit: to lose or lose the right to

by some error, offense, or crime vain: marked by futility or

ineffectualness reckoning: a summing up prejudice: preconceived judgment

or opinion: an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge

prepossession: an attitude, belief, or impression formed beforehand

Annotating

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify main ideas

Paraphrasing

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Restate the main ideas in your own words

Goldsmith could see that his opinion was not appreciated by the others

The speaker finds it shameful that Goldsmith can enjoy the rights and privileges of living in a country which he does not love blindly

Goldsmith gives up his argument to ponder why people must run down other countries in order to love their own

Quoting

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

This paragraph really has no outstanding language suitable for quoting. In fact, the paraphrase actually clarifies most of the language.

Organizing

I could easily perceive that all the company began to regard me with a jealous eye before I had finished my answer, which I had no sooner done, than the patriotic gentleman observed, with a contemptuous sneer, that he was greatly surprised how some people could have the conscience to live in a country which they did not love, and to enjoy the protection of a government, to which in their hearts they were inveterate enemies. Finding that by this modest declaration of my sentiments I had forfeited the good opinion of my companions, and given them occasion to call my political principles in question, and well knowing that it was in vain to argue with men who were so very full of themselves, I threw down my reckoning and retired to my own lodgings, reflecting on the absurd and ridiculous nature of national prejudice and prepossession.

Organize your paraphrased and quoted material into your own sentence:

Goldsmith could see that his opinion was not appreciated by the others

The speaker finds it shameful that Goldsmith can enjoy the rights and privileges of living in a country which he does not love blindly

Goldsmith gives up his argument to ponder why people must run down other countries in order to love their own

Goldsmith could immediately see that his opinion was not appreciated by the others, and, in fact, the speaker chastised him for living in a country and enjoying its protection and privileges without loving the country wholly and blindly. Goldsmith then gives up his argument to ponder why people must run down other countries in order to love their own.

Organizing Combine your summarized paragraphs

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations. Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.” Everyone in the group agreed with the man except Goldsmith who pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t be forced to disagree with the speaker. The speaker, however, wanted everyone to agree with his assessment of the characters of these European countries, and asked Goldsmith if he was of the same mind. Goldsmith reluctantly stated that he could not make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study of the citizens of each of these countries. In fact, Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate. And while Goldsmith agreed that the English have good qualities, they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.” Goldsmith could immediately see that his opinion was not appreciated by the others, and, in fact, the speaker chastised him for living in a country and enjoying its protection and privileges without loving the country wholly and blindly. Goldsmith then gives up his argument to ponder why people must run down other countries in order to love their own.

AnnotatingAmong all the famous sayings of

antiquity, there is none that does greater honor to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart), than that of the philosopher , who, being asked what “countryman he was,” replied, that he was, “a citizen of the world.”—How few are there to be found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is consistent with such a profession!—We are now become so much Englishmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards or Germans, that we are no longer citizens of the world; so the much natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe, or members of that grand society which comprehends the whole human kind.

Identify unknown words

antiquity: ancient times

AnnotatingAmong all the famous sayings of

antiquity, there is none that does greater honor to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart), than that of the philosopher , who, being asked what “countryman he was,” replied, that he was, “a citizen of the world.”—How few are there to be found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is consistent with such a profession!—We are now become so much Englishmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards or Germans, that we are no longer citizens of the world; so the much natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe, or members of that grand society which comprehends the whole human kind.

Identify unknown words

antiquity: ancient times

benevolent: marked by or disposed to doing good

AnnotatingAmong all the famous sayings of

antiquity, there is none that does greater honor to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart), than that of the philosopher , who, being asked what “countryman he was,” replied, that he was, “a citizen of the world.”—How few are there to be found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is consistent with such a profession!—We are now become so much Englishmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards or Germans, that we are no longer citizens of the world; so the much natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe, or members of that grand society which comprehends the whole human kind.

Identify unknown words

antiquity: ancient times

benevolent: marked by or disposed to doing good

native: one born or reared in a particular place

AnnotatingAmong all the famous sayings of

antiquity, there is none that does greater honor to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart), than that of the philosopher , who, being asked what “countryman he was,” replied, that he was, “a citizen of the world.”—How few are there to be found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is consistent with such a profession!—We are now become so much Englishmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards or Germans, that we are no longer citizens of the world; so the much natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe, or members of that grand society which comprehends the whole human kind.

Identify unknown words

antiquity: ancient times

benevolent: marked by or disposed to doing good

native: one born or reared in a particular place

petty: marked by or reflective of narrow interests and sympathies

AnnotatingAmong all the famous sayings of

antiquity, there is none that does greater honor to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart), than that of the philosopher , who, being asked what “countryman he was,” replied, that he was, “a citizen of the world.”—How few are there to be found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is consistent with such a profession!—We are now become so much Englishmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards or Germans, that we are no longer citizens of the world; so the much natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe, or members of that grand society which comprehends the whole human kind.

Identify main ideas

ParaphrasingAmong all the famous sayings of

antiquity, there is none that does greater honor to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart), than that of the philosopher , who, being asked what “countryman he was,” replied, that he was, “a citizen of the world.”—How few are there to be found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is consistent with such a profession!—We are now become so much Englishmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards or Germans, that we are no longer citizens of the world; so the much natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe, or members of that grand society which comprehends the whole human kind.

Restate the main ideas in your own words

Unlike the wise and learned philosopher of times long ago who considered himself a member of the global community, people today too much identify and consider themselves a part of a single nation or state.

QuotingAmong all the famous sayings of

antiquity, there is none that does greater honor to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart), than that of the philosopher , who, being asked what “countryman he was,” replied, that he was, “a citizen of the world.”—How few are there to be found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is consistent with such a profession!—We are now become so much Englishmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards or Germans, that we are no longer citizens of the world; so the much natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe, or members of that grand society which comprehends the whole human kind.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

“citizen of the world”

“natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society”

OrganizingAmong all the famous sayings of

antiquity, there is none that does greater honor to the author, or affords greater pleasure to the reader (at least if he be a person of a generous and benevolent heart), than that of the philosopher , who, being asked what “countryman he was,” replied, that he was, “a citizen of the world.”—How few are there to be found in modern times who can say the same, or whose conduct is consistent with such a profession!—We are now become so much Englishmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards or Germans, that we are no longer citizens of the world; so the much natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society, that we no longer consider ourselves as the general inhabitants of the globe, or members of that grand society which comprehends the whole human kind.

Incorporate the quotes into your paraphrases:

“citizen of the world” “natives of one particular spot,

or members of one petty society”

Unlike the wise and learned philosopher of times long ago who considered himself a member of the global community, people today too much identify and consider themselves a part of a single nation or state.

Unlike the wise and learned philosopher of times long ago who considered himself “a citizen of the world,” people today identify themselves too much as being “natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society.

Organizing Combine your summarized paragraphs

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations. Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.” Everyone in the group agreed with the man except Goldsmith who pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t be forced to disagree with the speaker. The speaker, however, wanted everyone to agree with his assessment of the characters of these European countries, and asked Goldsmith if he was of the same mind. Goldsmith reluctantly stated that he could not make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study of the citizens of each of these countries. In fact, Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate. And while Goldsmith agreed that the English have good qualities, they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.” Goldsmith could immediately see that his opinion was not appreciated by the others, and, in fact, the speaker chastised him for living in a country and enjoying its protection and privileges without loving the country wholly and blindly. Goldsmith then gives up his argument to ponder why people must run down other countries in order to love their own.

Goldsmith then observes that, unlike the wise and learned philosopher of times long ago who considered himself “a citizen of the world,” people today identify themselves too much as being “natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society.”

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify unknown words meanest: lacking in mental

discrimination

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify unknown words meanest: lacking in mental

discrimination appellation: name, title, or

designation

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify unknown words meanest: lacking in mental

discrimination appellation: name, title, or

designation exemption: immunity from

an obligation or duty

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify unknown words meanest: lacking in mental

discrimination appellation: name, title, or

designation exemption: immunity from

an obligation or duty characteristical:

characteristic

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify unknown words meanest: lacking in mental

discrimination appellation: name, title, or

designation exemption: immunity from

an obligation or duty characteristical:

characteristic exalted: elevated in rank,

character, or status

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify unknown words meanest: lacking in mental

discrimination appellation: name, title, or

designation exemption: immunity from

an obligation or duty characteristical:

characteristic exalted: elevated in rank,

character, or status vulgar: lacking refinement

or cultivation or taste

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify unknown words meanest: lacking in mental

discrimination appellation: name, title, or

designation exemption: immunity from

an obligation or duty characteristical:

characteristic exalted: elevated in rank,

character, or status vulgar: lacking refinement

or cultivation or taste apt: having a natural

tendency; inclined

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify unknown words meanest: lacking in mental

discrimination appellation: name, title, or

designation exemption: immunity from

an obligation or duty characteristical:

characteristic exalted: elevated in rank,

character, or status vulgar: lacking refinement

or cultivation or taste apt: having a natural

tendency; inclined merit: demonstrated ability

or achievement

AnnotatingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify main ideas

ParaphrasingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Restate the main ideas in your own words If only uneducated people

harbored these prejudices it might be understandable

When educated men of high rank have these prejudices, it shows that they are common and of no special worth

Those who most often brag about the great qualities of their nation are those who have the fewest good personal qualities

QuotingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

“the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.”

OrganizingDid these prejudices prevail only among the

meanest and lowest of the people, perhaps they might be excused, as they have few, if any, opportunities of correcting them by reading, traveling, or conversing with foreigners; but the misfortune is, that they infect the minds, and influence the conduct, even of our gentlemen; of those, I mean, who have every title to this appellation but an exemption from prejudice, which however, in my opinion, ought to be regarded as the characteristical mark of a gentleman; for let a man’s birth be ever so high, his station ever so exalted, or his fortune ever so large, yet if he is not free from national and other prejudices, I should make bold to tell him, that he had a low and vulgar mind, and had no just claim to the character of a gentleman. And in fact, you will always find that those are most apt to boast of national merit, who have little or no merit of their own to depend on; than which, to be sure, nothing is more natural: the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.

Incorporate the quotes into your paraphrases:

Those who most often brag about the great qualities of their nation are those who have the fewest good personal qualities

“the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak, for no other reason in the world but because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.”

Those who most often brag about the great qualities of their nation are those who have the fewest good personal qualities, or as Goldsmith illustrates metaphorically, “the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak… because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.”

Organizing Organize your paraphrased and

quoted material into your own sentence: If only uneducated people

harbored these prejudices it might be understandable

When educated men of high rank have these prejudices, it shows that they are common and of no special worth

Those who most often brag about the great qualities of their nation are those who have the fewest good personal qualities, or as Goldsmith illustrates metaphorically, “the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak… because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.”

If only uneducated people harbored these prejudices it might be understandable, but, when educated men of high rank also indulge in these unreasonable preconceptions, then it shows that they are common and of no special worth. In fact, those that most often brag about the great qualities of their nation are those who have the fewest good personal qualities, or as Goldsmith illustrates metaphorically, “the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak… because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.”

Organizing Combine your summarized paragraphs

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations. Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.” Everyone in the group agreed with the man except Goldsmith who pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t be forced to disagree with the speaker. The speaker, however, wanted everyone to agree with his assessment of the characters of these European countries, and asked Goldsmith if he was of the same mind. Goldsmith reluctantly stated that he could not make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study of the citizens of each of these countries. In fact, Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate. And while Goldsmith agreed that the English have good qualities, they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.” Goldsmith could immediately see that his opinion was not appreciated by the others, and, in fact, the speaker chastised him for living in a country and enjoying its protection and privileges without loving the country wholly and blindly. Goldsmith then gives up his argument to ponder why people must run down other countries in order to love their own.

Goldsmith then observes that, unlike the wise and learned philosopher of times long ago who considered himself “a citizen of the world,” people today identify themselves too much as being “natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society.” If only uneducated people harbored these prejudices it might be understandable, but, when educated men of high rank also indulge in these unreasonable preconceptions, then it shows that they are common and of no special worth. In fact, those that most often brag about the great qualities of their nation are those who have the fewest good personal qualities, or as Goldsmith illustrates metaphorically, “the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak… because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.”

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness fallacy: a false notion

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness fallacy: a false notion delusion: a false belief or

opinion

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness fallacy: a false notion delusion: a false belief or

opinion superstition: a belief, practice,

or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness fallacy: a false notion delusion: a false belief or

opinion superstition: a belief, practice,

or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance

affirm: to declare positively or firmly; maintain to be true

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness fallacy: a false notion delusion: a false belief or

opinion superstition: a belief, practice,

or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance

affirm: to declare positively or firmly; maintain to be true

genuine: not fake or counterfeit

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness fallacy: a false notion delusion: a false belief or

opinion superstition: a belief, practice,

or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance

affirm: to declare positively or firmly; maintain to be true

genuine: not fake or counterfeit lop: to cut off a part or parts

from; trim

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness fallacy: a false notion delusion: a false belief or

opinion superstition: a belief, practice,

or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance

affirm: to declare positively or firmly; maintain to be true

genuine: not fake or counterfeit lop: to cut off a part or parts

from; trim stock: the trunk or main stem of

a tree or another plant.

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify unknown words allege: assert to be true; affirm gross: flagrant or extreme esp.

in badness or offensiveness fallacy: a false notion delusion: a false belief or

opinion superstition: a belief, practice,

or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance

affirm: to declare positively or firmly; maintain to be true

genuine: not fake or counterfeit lop: to cut off a part or parts

from; trim stock: the trunk or main stem of

a tree or another plant. vigor: the capacity for natural

growth and survival

AnnotatingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify main ideas

ParaphrasingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Restate the main ideas in your own words

While it is natural for a person to love his or her country, it is not natural to take this love to the extreme of prejudice

Just as superstition is an unnatural outgrowth of religion, prejudice is an unnatural outgrowth of love of one’s country.

QuotingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

“once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor”

OrganizingShould it be alleged in defense of

national prejudice, that it is the natural and necessary growth of love to our country, and that therefore the former cannot be destroyed without hurting the latter, I answer, that this is a gross fallacy and delusion. That it is the growth of love to our country, I will allow; but that it is the natural and necessary growth of it, I absolutely deny. Superstition and enthusiasm too are the growth of religion; but who ever took it in his head to affirm that they are the necessary growth of this noble principle? They are, if you will, the bastard sprouts of this heavenly plant, but not its natural and genuine branches, and may safely enough be lopped off, without doing any harm to the parent stock; nay, perhaps, till once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.

Incorporate the quotes into your paraphrases:

While it is natural for a person to love his or her country, it is not natural to take this love to the extreme of prejudice

Just as superstition is an unnatural outgrowth of religion, prejudice is an unnatural outgrowth of love of one’s country.

“once they are lopped off, this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor”

While it is natural for a person to love his or her country, it is not natural to take this love to the extreme of prejudice; Goldsmith states that the unnatural outgrowth of prejudice from love is similar to the outgrowth of superstition from religion and believes that these outgrowths should be “lopped off, [or] this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.”

Organizing Combine your summarized paragraphs

Goldsmith often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations. Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.” Everyone in the group agreed with the man except Goldsmith who pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t be forced to disagree with the speaker. The speaker, however, wanted everyone to agree with his assessment of the characters of these European countries, and asked Goldsmith if he was of the same mind. Goldsmith reluctantly stated that he could not make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study of the citizens of each of these countries. In fact, Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate. And while Goldsmith agreed that the English have good qualities, they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.” Goldsmith could immediately see that his opinion was not appreciated by the others, and, in fact, the speaker chastised him for living in a country and enjoying its protection and privileges without loving the country wholly and blindly. Goldsmith then gives up his argument to ponder why people must run down other countries in order to love their own.

Goldsmith then observes that, unlike the wise and learned philosopher of times long ago who considered himself “a citizen of the world,” people today identify themselves too much as being “natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society.” If only uneducated people harbored these prejudices it might be understandable, but, when educated men of high rank also indulge in these unreasonable preconceptions, then it shows that they are common and of no special worth. In fact, those that most often brag about the great qualities of their nation are those who have the fewest good personal qualities, or as Goldsmith illustrates metaphorically, “the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak… because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.” While it is natural for a person to love his or her country, it is not natural to take this love to the extreme of prejudice; Goldsmith states that the unnatural outgrowth of prejudice from love is similar to the outgrowth of superstition from religion and, continuing his plant metaphor, believes that these outgrowths should be “lopped off, [or] this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.”

AnnotatingIs it not very possible that I may love

my own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Identify unknown words undaunted: Not discouraged

or disheartened; resolutely courageous

AnnotatingIs it not very possible that I may love

my own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Identify unknown words undaunted: Not discouraged

or disheartened; resolutely courageous

resolution: firm determination

AnnotatingIs it not very possible that I may love

my own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Identify unknown words undaunted: Not discouraged

or disheartened; resolutely courageous

resolution: firm determination

poltroon: a base coward

AnnotatingIs it not very possible that I may love

my own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Identify unknown words undaunted: Not discouraged

or disheartened; resolutely courageous

resolution: firm determination

poltroon: a base coward viz: that is; namely

AnnotatingIs it not very possible that I may love

my own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Identify unknown words undaunted: Not discouraged

or disheartened; resolutely courageous

resolution: firm determination

poltroon: a base coward viz: that is; namely appellation: a name, title, or

designation

AnnotatingIs it not very possible that I may love

my own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Identify main ideas

ParaphrasingIs it not very possible that I may love

my own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Restate the main ideas in your own words

It is certainly possible for a person to love his or her own country and to wholeheartedly support it without thinking that the citizens of other countries are inferior.

QuotingIs it not very possible that I may love

my own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Identify any sentences that are particularly effective or cannot be easily paraphrased:

“Is it not very possible that I may love my own country, without hating the natives of other countries?”

“citizen of the world”

OrganizingIs it not very possible that I may love my

own country, without hating the natives of other countries? That I may exert the most heroic bravery, the most undaunted resolution, in defending its laws and liberty, without despising all the rest of the world as cowards and poltroons? Most certainly it is; and if it were not—But why need I suppose what is absolutely impossible?—But if it were not, I must own, I should prefer the title of the ancient philosopher, viz. a citizen of the world, to that of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a European, or to any other appellation whatever.

Incorporate the quotes into your paraphrases:

It is certainly possible for a person to love his or her own country and to wholeheartedly support it without thinking that the citizens of other countries are inferior.

“Is it not very possible that I may love my own country, without hating the natives of other countries?”

“citizen of the world”

It is certainly possible for a person to love his or her own country and to wholeheartedly support it without thinking that the citizens of other countries are inferior. When Goldsmith asks the rhetorical question, “Is it not very possible that I may love my own country, without hating the natives of other countries?” the answer is a resounding “yes.” In fact, to answer in this way is to become a “citizen of the world.”

Organizing Combine your summarized paragraphs

Oliver Goldsmith, an Anglo-Irish essayist, often watched people when he visited public places, and sometimes they invited him to take part in their conversations. Once, as a man described the different people of Europe, he argued that the Dutch were greedy, the French were self-serving flatterers, the Germans were “beastly gluttons,” and the Spaniards were “surly tyrants” while in “bravery, generosity, clemency, and in every other virtue, the English excelled all the rest of the world.” Everyone in the group agreed with the man except Goldsmith who pretended to be thinking about something else so he wouldn’t be forced to disagree with the speaker. The speaker, however, wanted everyone to agree with his assessment of the characters of these European countries, and asked Goldsmith if he was of the same mind. Goldsmith reluctantly stated that he could not make such a broad statement unless he had made a careful study of the citizens of each of these countries. In fact, Goldsmith suggested that the Dutch might actually be “frugal and industrious,” the French “temperate and polite,” the Germans hard workers, and the Spaniards dignified and deliberate. And while Goldsmith agreed that the English have good qualities, they might also be “rash, headstrong, and impetuous; too apt to be elated with prosperity, and to despond in adversity.” Goldsmith could immediately see that his opinion was not appreciated by the others, and, in fact, the speaker chastised him for living in a country and enjoying its protection and privileges without loving the country wholly and blindly. Goldsmith then gives up his argument to ponder why people must run down other countries in order to love their own.

Goldsmith then observes that, unlike the wise and learned philosopher of times long ago who considered himself “a citizen of the world,” people today identify themselves too much as being “natives of one particular spot, or members of one petty society.” If only uneducated people harbored these prejudices it might be understandable, but, when educated men of high rank also indulge in these unreasonable preconceptions, then it shows that they are common and of no special worth. In fact, those that most often brag about the great qualities of their nation are those who have the fewest good personal qualities, or as Goldsmith illustrates metaphorically, “the slender vine twists around the sturdy oak… because it has not the strength sufficient to support itself.” While it is natural for a person to love his or her country, it is not natural to take this love to the extreme of prejudice; Goldsmith states that the unnatural outgrowth of prejudice from love is similar to the outgrowth of superstition from religion and, continuing his plant metaphor, believes that these outgrowths should be “lopped off, [or] this goodly tree can never flourish in perfect health and vigor.”

It is certainly possible for a person to love his or her own country and to wholeheartedly support it without thinking that the citizens of other countries are inferior. When Goldsmith asks the rhetorical question, “Is it not very possible that I may love my own country, without hating the natives of other countries?” the answer is a resounding “yes.” In fact, to answer in this way is to become a “citizen of the world.”