syntax in my writing. My adaptation takes a subject I am familar with and inserts it into Bacon's formatted essay.
"Of Studies"
Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring;[1] for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in judgment. For expert men can execute but learned men are fittest to judge or censure. To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules is the humor[2] of a scholar.
They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience.
Crafty men[3] condemn them; simple men admire[4] them, and wise men use the m: For they teach not their own use” but that is a wisdom without them[5] and above them, won by observation. Read not to contradict; nor to believe and take for granted; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: That is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Reading
[1] Privacy and leisure
[2] whim/eccentricity
[3] men who work physically at a task
[4] achaic for “marvel at”
[5] separate from them; outside them
[6] conversation
[7] ability to think fast
[8] imaginative
Below is my adaptation of the piece. Have a look; I am open to suggestions.
“Of Climbing”
Climbing delivers a challenge, an adrenaline rush, and satisfaction. Its chief use for challenge is in problem solving and strength; for adrenaline rush, is in the fall to the draw[1]; and for satisfaction, is in biner kissing[2]. For professionals can stick it[3] but the novice is best left to use jugs[4] and top ropes[5]. Too spend too much time ascending is persistence; to use it too much for boasting is disrespect; to compare physical power is the downfall of the mentally strong.
They perfect the technique, and are perfected by the rock.
Lazy men condemn them; broken[6] men envy them, and mathematicians their equal: For they stand not close to the rock but examine the whole equation; but that is an elevation without them and above them, won by technique. Lead[7] not to gamble; nor to pose and demonstrate bravery; but to build and explore. Some climbs are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: That is, some climbs are to be gazed at; others are to be attempted and completed if needs be; and some few are to be completed studiously and repeated until the point of mastery. Leading maketh a conqueror; top roping a settler; and free soloing[8] a dead man. And therefore if a man free solos, he need fear death; if he top ropes, he need have knowledge of security; and if he leads, he need have much fear of death, enough to wisely protect his life. Mountaineering makes men victorious; mothers cringe; the form artistic; safety priority; nature religious; isolation and solitude able to contend.
[1] Draw (quickdraw): two carabineers connected by webbing meant for clipping rope to bolted anchors on a fixed route
[2] Biner Kissing: kissing the carabineers at the top of a climb
[3] Stick it: refers to the act of moving to a new hold and using all your energy to stay at that level
[4] Jugs: large holds that are easy to hang on to
[5] Top Rope: is a climb with the rope already anchored to the top of a route with a belayer at the bottom
[6] Broken: injured, disabled
[7] Lead: lead climbing is climbing with the rope and clipping the rope to bolts with quickdraws as you go
[8] Free soloing: climbing without any gear or protection
