McGuffey's Fifth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson LXXI · Part 7: Courage, temper and work
77. No Excellence without Labor (William Wirt)
Goal: Your child explains Wirt's argument that hard work, not just talent, makes success, and copies its key sentence.
You'll need
- The book, open to this lesson
- A notebook or lined paper and a pencil
What's in the book
A short speech-like essay by William Wirt telling young people that they are the "architects" of their own fortunes and that excellence takes great labor. It ends with a line from Shakespeare. Definitions and notes follow.
The lesson, step by step
About the author
The book says William Wirt (b. 1772, d. 1834) was born in Bladensburg, Maryland, practiced law in Virginia, took part in the trial of Aaron Burr, was Attorney-General of the United States from 1817 to 1829, and wrote a "Life of Patrick Henry."
SayWirt was a lawyer, so he writes like someone making a strong speech. Listen for how he tries to convince you.
Words and meanings
The words and meanings are printed at the end of the lesson. Read a few together before the reading, so they don't trip your child up:
Architects, builders, makers.
Destiny, ultimate fate, appointed condition.
Mediocrity, a middle state or degree of talents.
Fiat, a decree.
Your child reads each meaning aloud, then uses the word in a sentence of their own.
Read aloud
Your child reads the lesson aloud, as if giving a speech. Two lines to listen for:
They are the architects of their respective fortunes.
It is the fiat of fate, from which no power of genius can absolve you.
Talk about it
SayWirt describes two young men, one very gifted and one ordinary. What happens to each one, and why?
SayWhat does it mean to be the "architect" of your own fortune?
SayCan you think of something you got good at only by practice?
Tell it back
Close the book.
SayExplain Wirt's main idea to me as if I had never heard it. Use his example of the two young men.
Older children can write their narration in a short paragraph instead. Don't correct while they talk; just listen.
Copywork
Your child copies the lesson's title idea from the text:
there is no excellence without great labor.
Then they write it once more from memory.
Optional writing
Your child writes a short paragraph: "Something I want to be excellent at, and the labor it will take."