CLASSIC ESSAYS
A collection of major British and American essays, articles, and speeches composed over the past four centuries.
Advice on the Choice of a Mistress, by Benjamin Franklin
Franklin advises an acquaintance, "But if you will not take this counsel and persist in thinking a commerce with the sex inevitable, then I repeat my former advice, that in all your amours you should prefer old women to young ones."
Franklin advises an acquaintance, "But if you will not take this counsel and persist in thinking a commerce with the sex inevitable, then I repeat my former advice, that in all your amours you should prefer old women to young ones."
Advice to Youth, by Mark Twain
Whenever Mark Twain sets out to offer sage counsel, as he does in "Advice to Youth," be careful not to overlook the wink in his eye.
Whenever Mark Twain sets out to offer sage counsel, as he does in "Advice to Youth," be careful not to overlook the wink in his eye.
The Education of Women, by Daniel Defoe
In 1719, Defoe published the novel "Robinson Crusoe" and this essay, in which he challenges "one of the most barbarous customs in the world . . . that we deny the advantages of learning to women."
In 1719, Defoe published the novel "Robinson Crusoe" and this essay, in which he challenges "one of the most barbarous customs in the world . . . that we deny the advantages of learning to women."
The Gettysburg Address, by Abraham Lincoln
President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address has been described as a prose poem, a prayer, and "the world’s foremost statement of freedom and democracy and the sacrifices required to achieve and defend them."
President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address has been described as a prose poem, a prayer, and "the world’s foremost statement of freedom and democracy and the sacrifices required to achieve and defend them."
The Hills of Zion, by H. L. Mencken
Mencken composed "The Hills of Zion" in July of 1925 while covering the notorious Scopes "Monkey Trial."
Mencken composed "The Hills of Zion" in July of 1925 while covering the notorious Scopes "Monkey Trial."
How It Feels to Be Colored Me, by Zora Neale Hurston
"A genius of the South, novelist, folklorist, anthropologist"--those are the words that Alice Walker had inscribed on the tombstone of Zora Neale Hurston. In this essay, Hurston introduces herself.
"A genius of the South, novelist, folklorist, anthropologist"--those are the words that Alice Walker had inscribed on the tombstone of Zora Neale Hurston. In this essay, Hurston introduces herself.
In Praise of Idleness, by Bertrand Russell
In this 1932 essay "In Praise of Idleness," Bertrand Russell argues in favor of a four-hour working day. Consider whether his "arguments for laziness" deserve serious consideration today.
In this 1932 essay "In Praise of Idleness," Bertrand Russell argues in favor of a four-hour working day. Consider whether his "arguments for laziness" deserve serious consideration today.
The Libido for the Ugly, by H. L. Mencken
H.L. Mencken's attack on American architecture in "The Libido for the Ugly" endures as a powerful exercise in hyperbole and invective.
H.L. Mencken's attack on American architecture in "The Libido for the Ugly" endures as a powerful exercise in hyperbole and invective.
A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is generally considered to be the most famous satirical essay in the English language.
Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is generally considered to be the most famous satirical essay in the English language.
My Wood, by E.M. Forster
E.M. Forster's essay "My Wood," first published in 1926, encourages us to think about the nature of materialism and the seductive power of our possessions: "If you own things, what's their effect on you?"
E.M. Forster's essay "My Wood," first published in 1926, encourages us to think about the nature of materialism and the seductive power of our possessions: "If you own things, what's their effect on you?"
Of Studies, by Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon, the first major English essayist, comments forcefully on the value of reading and learning.
Francis Bacon, the first major English essayist, comments forcefully on the value of reading and learning.
On the Decay of the Art of Lying, by Mark Twain
American humorist Mark Twain composed this essay "On the Art of Lying" for a meeting of the Historical and Antiquarian Club of Hartford, Connecticut.
American humorist Mark Twain composed this essay "On the Art of Lying" for a meeting of the Historical and Antiquarian Club of Hartford, Connecticut.
On Virtue and Happiness, by John Stuart Mill
In this excerpt from his long philosophical essay "Utilitarianism," John Stuart Mill relies on strategies of classification and division to defend the utilitarian doctrine that "happiness is the sole end of human action."
In this excerpt from his long philosophical essay "Utilitarianism," John Stuart Mill relies on strategies of classification and division to defend the utilitarian doctrine that "happiness is the sole end of human action."
Patriotism, by Alexis de Tocqueville
In this excerpt from "Democracy in America," Alexis de Tocqueville identifies two kinds of patriotism and points out the special characteristics of each.
In this excerpt from "Democracy in America," Alexis de Tocqueville identifies two kinds of patriotism and points out the special characteristics of each.
A Piece of Chalk, by G. K. Chesterton
In this short essay, English author and critic G. K. Chesterton relies on two common items--brown paper and a piece of chalk--as starting points for some thought-provoking meditations.
In this short essay, English author and critic G. K. Chesterton relies on two common items--brown paper and a piece of chalk--as starting points for some thought-provoking meditations.
Self-Reliance, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
One of Emerson's central doctrines--"Trust thyself"--is the theme developed in his well-known essay on "Self-Reliance."
One of Emerson's central doctrines--"Trust thyself"--is the theme developed in his well-known essay on "Self-Reliance."
Story of an Eyewitness: The San Francisco Earthquake, by Jack London
Novelist and journalist Jack London offers a first-person account of the fiery aftermath of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco.
Novelist and journalist Jack London offers a first-person account of the fiery aftermath of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco.
Street Haunting: A London Adventure, by Virginia Woolf
In this essay by English novelist Virginia Woolf, the quest to buy a pencil serves as an occasion to contrast "street sauntering," with its sense of carefree wandering, with "street haunting," which hints at the more disturbing aspects of walking in the city.
In this essay by English novelist Virginia Woolf, the quest to buy a pencil serves as an occasion to contrast "street sauntering," with its sense of carefree wandering, with "street haunting," which hints at the more disturbing aspects of walking in the city.
The Superstition of School, by G.K. Chesterton
Consider what compels Chesterton, in "The Superstition of School," to conclude that "without a gentle contempt for education, no gentleman's education is complete."
Consider what compels Chesterton, in "The Superstition of School," to conclude that "without a gentle contempt for education, no gentleman's education is complete."
Two Ways of Seeing a River, by Mark Twain
In this short excerpt from his memoir about growing up alongside the Mississippi River, Mark Twain considers what may be lost as well as gained through knowledge and experience.
In this short excerpt from his memoir about growing up alongside the Mississippi River, Mark Twain considers what may be lost as well as gained through knowledge and experience.
The Whistle, by Benjamin Franklin
American statesman and scientist Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) explains how an extravagant purchase in his childhood taught him a lesson for life.
American statesman and scientist Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) explains how an extravagant purchase in his childhood taught him a lesson for life.
Why Are Beggars Despised? by George Orwell
Drawn from Chapter 31 of Orwell's first book, "Down and Out in Paris and London," this short essay invites us to explore our own attitudes to the "ordinary human beings" known today as "the homeless."
Drawn from Chapter 31 of Orwell's first book, "Down and Out in Paris and London," this short essay invites us to explore our own attitudes to the "ordinary human beings" known today as "the homeless."