# Table-Talk — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Table-Talk by William Hazlitt.

- [On the Pleasure of Painting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-the-pleasure-of-painting.md): Hazlitt contrasts the solitary, peaceful pleasure of painting with the anxiety of writing, describing how painting allows one to engage in a friendly strife with Nature, free from the contentions of the world. He recount
- [The Same Subject Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-the-same-subject-continued.md): Hazlitt continues his defense of the artist's unique and profound connection to art, arguing that only those who have devoted their lives to the practice can fully appreciate its highest beauties. He contrasts the artist
- [On the Past and Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-the-past-and-future.md): Hazlitt contrasts the innocence and freedom of childhood with the burdens and rigid habits of age, arguing that the will's excessive forward orientation—driven by ambition, passion, and the pursuit of action—distorts our
- [On Genius and Common Sense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-genius-and-common-sense.md): Hazlitt argues that genius and common sense are not reducible to fixed rules but arise from an intuitive, feeling-based understanding of nature and experience. He critiques the notion that reason or precept can govern ar
- [The Same Subject Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-the-same-subject-continued.md): Hazlitt continues his exploration of genius and originality, arguing that true originality consists in seeing nature differently yet accurately, and that it arises from an intense sympathy with some particular aspect of 

> 29 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=table_talk_se_895kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [Character of Cobbett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-character-of-cobbett.md)
- [On People with One Idea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-people-with-one-idea.md)
- [On the Ignorance of the Learned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-the-ignorance-of-the-learned.md)
- [The Indian Jugglers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-the-indian-jugglers.md)
- [On Living to One’s-Self](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-living-to-one-s-self.md)
- [On Thought and Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-thought-and-action.md)
- [On Will-Making](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-will-making.md)
- [On Certain Inconsistencies in Sir Joshua Reynolds's Discourses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-certain-inconsistencies-in-sir-joshua-reynolds-s-discourses.md)
- [The Same Subject Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-the-same-subject-continued.md)
- [On Paradox and Commonplace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-paradox-and-commonplace.md)
- [On Vulgarity and Affectation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-vulgarity-and-affectation.md)
- [On a Landscape of Nicolas Poussin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-a-landscape-of-nicolas-poussin.md)
- [On Milton's Sonnets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-milton-s-sonnets.md)
- [On Going a Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-going-a-journey.md)
- [On Coffeehouse Politicians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-coffeehouse-politicians.md)
- [On the Aristocracy of Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-the-aristocracy-of-letters.md)
- [On Criticism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-criticism.md)
- [On Great and Little Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-great-and-little-things.md)
- [On Familiar Style](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-familiar-style.md)
- [On Effeminacy of Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-effeminacy-of-character.md)
- [Why Distant Objects Please](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-why-distant-objects-please.md)
- [On Corporate Bodies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-corporate-bodies.md)
- [Whether Actors Ought to Sit in the Boxes?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-whether-actors-ought-to-sit-in-the-boxes.md)
- [On the Disadvantages of Intellectual Superiority](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-the-disadvantages-of-intellectual-superiority.md)
- [On Patronage and Puffing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-patronage-and-puffing.md)
- [On the Knowledge of Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-the-knowledge-of-character.md)
- [On the Picturesque and Ideal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-the-picturesque-and-ideal.md)
- [On the Fear of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-on-the-fear-of-death.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-ii-endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/table_talk_se/chapters