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SweetFreedom Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
The part of wise men?
Does "the part of wise men" mean "what the wise men have done"?
Background info:
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
Background info:
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
Top answer
e. he is questioning whether this behaviour or conduct is wise.
- e.
- he is questioning whether this behaviour or conduct is wise.
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10 Answers
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I believe it means something like "role", i.e. he is questioning whether this behaviour or conduct is wise.
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SweetFreedomSo " For my part" also means "for my role"?Not really. "for my part" is a set expression that means "as far as I am concerned".
Actually, perhaps rather simply "role", a better definition for "part" in your "part of wise men" is sense 3.4 at
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GPYNot really. "for my part" is a set expression that means "as far as I am concerned".Of course, it can also be used literally, not as a set expression, e.g. "This constume will be ideal for my part in the play".
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Got it.
Does "to be of the number of" mean "to be of the kind of"?
Does "to be of the number of" mean "to be of the kind of"?
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SweetFreedom Got it.Does "to be of the number of" mean "to be of the kind of"?Yes, to belong to that group of people (who, having eyes, see not, etc. etc.).
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Thank you.
BTW, in "The Declaration of Independence was written by a committee, and it was not original work on Jefferson's part", "Jefferson's part" also refers to "Jefferson's role"?
BTW, in "The Declaration of Independence was written by a committee, and it was not original work on Jefferson's part", "Jefferson's part" also refers to "Jefferson's role"?
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SweetFreedomBTW, in "The Declaration of Independence was written by a committee, and it was not original work on Jefferson's part", "Jefferson's part" also refers to "Jefferson's role"?No, not really. "on X's part" is another set expression. This essentially means "not original work by Jefferson", but with slightly more emphasis on the contrast between Jeffer
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slightly more emphasis on Jefferson's work than on the work of others?
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SweetFreedom slightly more emphasis on Jefferson's work than on the work of others?No, more emphasis on separating Jefferson's work from that of others. "it was not original work on Jefferson's part" is essentially a more elaborate way of saying "it was not original work by Jefferson". The elaboration seems to make "more of a thing out of it".
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