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The registering of doubts hath two excellent uses: the one, that it saveth philosophy from errors and falsehoods; when that which is not fully appearing is not collected into assertion, whereby error might draw error, but reserved in doubt: the other, that the entry of doubts are as so manysuckers or sponges to draw use of knowledge; insomuch as that which, if doubts had not preceded, a man should never have advised, but passed it over without note, by the suggestion and solicitation of doubts, is made to be attended and applied. By Francis Bacon Doubts Draw Error Falsehoods Assertion

A man cannot speak to his son, but as a father; to his wife, but as a husband; to his enemy, but upon terms: whereas a friend may speak, as the case requires, and not as it sorteth with the person. By Francis Bacon Speak Son Father Wife Husband

In civil business; what first? boldness; what second and third? boldness: and yet boldness is a child of ignorance and baseness. By Francis Bacon Business Boldness Civil Baseness Child

Libraries are as the shrine where all the relics of the ancient saints, full of true virtue, and that without delusion or imposture, are preserved and reposed. By Francis Bacon Libraries Saints Full Virtue Imposture

For the mind of man is far from the nature of a clear and equal glass, wherein the beams of things should reflect according to their true incidence; nay, it is rather like an enchanted glass, full of superstition and imposture, if it be not delivered and reduced. By Francis Bacon Glass Nay Incidence Full Imposture

For myself, I found that I was fitted for nothing so well as for the study of Truth; as having a mind nimble and versatile enough to catch the resemblances of things and at the same time steady enough to fix and distinguish their subtler differences; as being gifted by nature with desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and as being a man that neither affects what is new nor admires what is old, and that hates every kind of imposture. -Francis Bacon By Francis Bacon Truth Differences Seek Patience Doubt

The rising unto place is laborious, and by pains men come to greater pains; and it is sometimes base, and by indignities men come to dignities. The standing is slippery, and the regress is either a downfall, or at least an eclipse. By Francis Bacon Men Pains Laborious Base Dignities

Medicine is a science which hath been (as we have said) more professed than laboured, and yet more laboured than advanced: the labour having been, in my judgment, rather in circle than in progression. For I find much iteration, but small addition. It considereth causes of diseases, with the occasions or impulsions; the diseases themselves, with the accidents; and the cures, with the preservation. By Francis Bacon Laboured Medicine Advanced Judgment Progression

Truth is a naked and open daylight, that does not show the masques, and mummeries, and triumphs of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights ... A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure By Francis Bacon Truth Daylight Masques Mummeries World

The images of mens wits and knowledge remain in books. They generate still, and cast their seeds in the minds of others, provoking and causing infinite actions and opinions in succeeding ages By Francis Bacon Books Images Mens Wits Knowledge

It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tost upon the sea: a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to standing upon the vantage ground of truth ... and to see the errors, and wanderings, and mists, and tempests, in the vale below. By Francis Bacon Pleasure Stand Shore Sea Castle

There were taken apples, and ... closed up in wax ... After a month's space, the apple inclosed in was was as green and fresh as the first putting in, and the kernals continued white. The cause is, for that all exclusion of open air, which is ever predatory, maintaineth the body in its first freshness and moisture. By Francis Bacon Closed Wax Apples Apple Space

The stage is more beholding to love than the life of man. For as to the stage, love is ever matter of comedies and now and then of tragedies; but in life it doth much mischief, sometimes like a Siren, sometimes like a Fury. By Francis Bacon Man Stage Love Life Beholding

I would by all means have men beware, lest Aesop's pretty fable of the fly that sate on the pole of a chariot at the Olympic races and said, 'What a dust do I raise,' be verified in them. For so it is that some small observation, and that disturbed sometimes by the instrument, sometimes by the eye, sometimes by the calculation, and which may be owing to some real change in the sky, raises new skies and new spheres and circles. By Francis Bacon Aesop Olympic Beware Men Pretty

I use all sorts of things to work with: old brooms, old sweaters, and all kinds of peculiar tools and materials ... I paint to excite myself, and make something for myself. By Francis Bacon Brooms Sweaters Materials Sorts Things

Some artists leave remarkable things which, a 100 years later, don't work at all. I have left my mark; my work is hung in museums, but maybe one day the Tate Gallery or the other museums will banish me to the cellar ... you never know. By Francis Bacon Years Work Artists Leave Remarkable

There is another ground of hope that must not be omitted. Let men but think over their infinite expenditure of understanding, time, and means on matters and pursuits of far less use and value; whereof, if but a small part were directed to sound and solid studies, there is no difficulty that might not be overcome. By Francis Bacon Omitted Ground Hope Time Whereof

He that seeketh to be eminent amongst able men hath a great task; but that is ever good for the public. But he that plots to be the only figure amongst ciphers is the decay of a whole age. By Francis Bacon Task Public Seeketh Eminent Men

But we may go further, and affirm most truly, that it is a mere and miserable solitude to want true friends; without which the world is but a wilderness. By Francis Bacon Friends Wilderness Affirm Mere Miserable

We must see whether the same clock with weights will go faster at the top of a mountain or at the bottom of a mine; it is probable, if the pull of the weights decreases on the mountain and increases in the mine, that the earth has real attraction. By Francis Bacon Mine Weights Mountain Probable Attraction

There are and can be only two ways of searching into and discovering truth. The one flies from the senses and particulars to the most general axioms, and from these principles, the truth of which it takes for settled and immovable, proceeds to judgment and to the discovery of middle axioms. And this way is now in fashion. The other derives axioms from the senses and particulars, rising by a gradual and unbroken ascent, so that it arrives at the most general axioms last of all. This is the true way, but as yet untried. By Francis Bacon Axioms Truth Searching Discovering Senses

Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt that, if there were taken out of men's minds vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves? By Francis Bacon Price Showeth Truth Pearl Day

The inquiry of truth, which is the love-making, or the wooing of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature. By Francis Bacon Truth Lovemaking Nature Inquiry Wooing

The true bounds and limitations, whereby human knowledge is confined and circumscribed, ... are three: the first, that we do not so place our felicity in knowledge, as we forget our mortality: the second, that we make application of our knowledge, to give ourselves repose and contentment, and not distates or repining: the third, that we do not presume by the contemplation of Nature to attain to the mysteries of God. By Francis Bacon Knowledge God Nature Limitations Circumscribed

Believing that I was born for the service of mankind, and regarding the care of the commonwealth as a kind of common property, which like the air and the water, belongs to everybody, I set myself to consider in what way mankind might best be served, and what service was myself best fitted by nature to perform. By Francis Bacon Service Mankind Believing Property Water

The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall: but in charity there is no excess; neither can angel nor man come in danger by it. By Francis Bacon Fall Excess Desire Caused Man

I would address one general admonition to all, that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it not either for pleasure of the mind, or for contention, or for superiority to others, or for profit, or for fame, or power, or any of these inferior things, but for the benefit and use of life; and that they perfect and govern it in charity. For it was from lust of power that the Angels fell, from lust of knowledge that man fell, but of charity there can be no excess, neither did angel or man come in danger by it. By Francis Bacon Knowledge Mind Contention Profit Fame

The best armor is to keep out of gunshot. By Francis Bacon Gunshot Armor

Many secrets of art and nature are thought by the unlearned to be magical. By Francis Bacon Magical Secrets Art Nature Thought

For the unlearned man knows not what it is to descend into himself, or to call himself to account, nor the pleasure of that suavissima vita, indies sentire se fieri meliorem. By Francis Bacon Account Vita Indies Meliorem Unlearned

Painting is the pattern of one's own nervous system being projected on canvas. By Francis Bacon Painting Canvas Pattern Nervous System

Since my logic aims to teach and instruct the understanding, not that it may with the slender tendrils of the mind snatch at and lay hold of abstract notions (as the common logic does), but that it may in very truth dissect nature, and discover the virtues and actions of bodies, with their laws as determined in matter; so that this science flows not merely from the nature of the mind, but also from the nature of things. By Francis Bacon Nature Mind Logic Understanding Notions

To spend too much time in them [studying] is sloth, to use them too much for ornament is affectation, to make judgment wholly by their rules is the humor* of a scholar ... . By Francis Bacon Studying Sloth Affectation Humor Scholar

The human understanding is unquiet; it cannot stop or rest, and still presses onward, but in vain. Therefore it is that we cannot conceive of any end or limit to the world, but always as of necessity it occurs to us that there is something beyond ... But he is no less an unskilled and shallow philosopher who seeks causes of that which is most general, than he who in things subordinate and subaltern omits to do so By Francis Bacon Unquiet Rest Onward Vain Human

Friendship increases in visiting friends, but in visiting them seldom. By Francis Bacon Visiting Friendship Friends Seldom Increases

I regret not starting to paint earlier ... It is one of the few things I do regret. By Francis Bacon Earlier Regret Starting Paint Things

The creative process is a cocktail of instinct, skill, culture and a highly creative feverishness. It is not like a drug; it is a particular state when everything happens very quickly, a mixture of consciousness and unconsciousness, of fear and pleasure, it's a little like making love, the physical act of love. By Francis Bacon Creative Skill Instinct Culture Feverishness

I don't believe art is available; it's rare and curious and should be completely isolated; one is more aware of its magic the more it is isolated. By Francis Bacon Isolated Art Rare Curious Completely

So if any man think philosophy and universality to be idle studies, he doth not consider that all professions are from thence served and supplied. And this I take to be a great cause that hath hindered the progression of learning, because these fundamental knowledges have been studied but in passage. By Francis Bacon Studies Supplied Man Philosophy Universality

In things that are tender and unpleasing, it is good to break the ice by some one whose words are of less weight, and to reserve the more weighty voice to come in as by chance. By Francis Bacon Unpleasing Weight Chance Things Tender

A man dies as often as he loses his friends. By Francis Bacon Friends Man Dies Loses

To conclude, therefore, let no man upon a weak conceit of sobriety or an ill-applied moderation think or maintain that a man can search too far, or be too well studied in the book of God's word, or the book of God's works, divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavor an endless progress or proficience in both; only let men beware that they apply both to charity, and not to swelling; to use, and not to ostentation; and again, that they do not unwisely mingle or confound these learnings together. By Francis Bacon God Book Men Man Conclude

The natures and dispositions of men are, not without truth, distinguished from the predominance of the planets. By Francis Bacon Truth Distinguished Planets Natures Dispositions

Salomon saith, There is no new thing upon the earth. So that as Plato had an imagination, that all knowledge was but remembrance; so Salomon giveth his sentence, that all novelty is but oblivion. By Francis Bacon Saith Earth Salomon Thing Plato

They are the best physicians, who being great in learning most incline to the traditions of experience, or being distinguished in practice do not reflect the methods and generalities of art. By Francis Bacon Physicians Experience Art Great Learning

He that seeketh victory over his nature, let him not set himself too great, nor too small tasks; for the first will make him dejected by often failings; and the second will make him a small proceeder, though often by prevailings. By Francis Bacon Make Small Nature Great Tasks

There are Idols which we call Idols of the Market. For Men associate by Discourse, and a false and improper Imposition of Words strangely possesses the Understanding, for Words absolutely force the Understanding, and put all Things into Confusion. By Francis Bacon Idols Market Understanding Words Call

To be free minded and cheerfully disposed at hours of meat and sleep and of exercise is one of the best precepts of long lasting. By Francis Bacon Lasting Free Minded Cheerfully Disposed

What then remains, but that we still should cryNot to be born, or being born, to die? By Francis Bacon Born Remains Die Crynot

Be not penny-wise. Riches have wings. Sometimes they fly away of themselves, and sometimes they must be set flying to bring in more. By Francis Bacon Pennywise Riches Wings Fly Set

If my people look as if they're in a dreadful fix, it's because I can't get them out of a technical dilemma. By Francis Bacon Fix Dilemma People Dreadful Technical

Custom is the principle magistrate of man's life. By Francis Bacon Custom Life Principle Magistrate Man

Since custom is the principal magistrate of man's life, let men by all means endeavor to obtain good customs. By Francis Bacon Life Principal Magistrate Man Men

Cure the disease and kill the patient. By Francis Bacon Cure Patient Disease Kill

The dignity of this end of endowment of man's life with new commodity appeareth by the estimation that antiquity made of such as guided thereunto ; for whereas founders of states, lawgivers, extirpators of tyrants, fathers of the people, were honoured but with the titles of demigods, inventors ere ever consecrated among the gods themselves. By Francis Bacon Lawgivers Thereunto States Extirpators Tyrants

The way of fortune is like the milkyway in the sky; which is a number of small stars, not seen asunder, but giving light together: so it is a number of little and scarce discerned virtues, or rather faculties and customs, that make men fortunate. By Francis Bacon Number Sky Stars Asunder Virtues

Again there is another great and powerful cause why the sciences have made but little progress; which is this. It is not possible to run a course aright when the goal itself has not been rightly placed. By Francis Bacon Progress Great Powerful Sciences Made

There is no passion in the mind of man so weak, but it mates and masters the fear of death ... Revenge triumphs over death; love slights it; honor aspireth to it; grief flieth to it. By Francis Bacon Death Weak Passion Mind Man

The Syllogism consists of propositions, propositions consist of words, words are symbols of notions. Therefore if the notions themselves (which is the root of the matter) are confused and over-hastily abstracted from the facts, there can be no firmness in the superstructure. Our only hope therefore lies in a true induction. By Francis Bacon Syllogism Propositions Words Consists Consist

Man, as the minister and interpreter of nature, is limited in act and understanding by his observation of the order of nature; neither his understanding nor his power extends further. By Francis Bacon Nature Man Understanding Minister Interpreter

Many a man's strength is in opposition, and when he faileth, he grows out of use. By Francis Bacon Opposition Faileth Man Strength Grows

The men of experiment are like the ant, they only collect and use; the reasoners resemble spiders, who make cobwebs out of their own substance. But the bee takes the middle course: it gathers its material from the flowers of the garden and field, but transforms and digests it by a power of its own. By Francis Bacon Ant Spiders Substance Men Experiment

Journeys at youth are part of the education; but at maturity, are part of the experience. By Francis Bacon Part Journeys Education Maturity Experience

The way of fortune, is like the Milken Way in the sky; which is a meeting or knot of a number of small stars; not seen asunder, but giving light together. By Francis Bacon Milken Fortune Sky Stars Asunder

But we are not dedicating or building any Capitol or Pyramid to human Pride, but found a holy temple in the human Intellect, on the model of the Universe ... For whatever is worthy of Existence is worthy of Knowledge-which is the Image (or Echo) of Existence. By Francis Bacon Pride Intellect Universe Capitol Pyramid

Knowledge and human power are synonymous. By Francis Bacon Knowledge Synonymous Human Power

The quarrels and divisions about religion were evils unknown to the heathen. The reason was because the religion of the heathen consisted rather in rites and ceremonies than in any constant belief. By Francis Bacon Heathen Religion Quarrels Divisions Evils

Much bending breaks the bow; much unbending the mind. By Francis Bacon Bow Mind Bending Breaks Unbending

But the greatest error of all the rest is the mistaking or misplacing of the last or farthest end of knowledge: for men have entered into a desire of learning and knowledge, sometimes upon a natural curiosity and inquisitive appetite; sometimes to entertain their minds with variety and delight; sometimes for ornament and reputation; and sometimes to enable them to victory of wit and contradiction; and most times for lucre and profession; and seldom sincerely to give a true account of their gift of reason, to the benefit and use of men ... By Francis Bacon Knowledge Men Appetite Delight Reputation

I knew a wise man that had it for a by-word, when he saw men hasten to a conclusion, "Stay a little, that we may make an end the sooner." By Francis Bacon Stay Byword Conclusion Sooner Knew

Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy, but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince's part to pardon. By Francis Bacon Revenge Enemy Superior Pardon Taking

A small task if it be really daily will beat the efforts of a spasmodic Hercules. By Francis Bacon Hercules Small Task Daily Beat

I feel ever so strongly that an artist must be nourished by his passions and his despairs. These things alter an artist whether for the good or the better or the worse. It must alter him. The feelings of desperation and unhappiness are more useful to an artist than the feeling of contentment, because desperation and unhappiness stretch your whole sensibility. By Francis Bacon Artist Despairs Feel Strongly Nourished

Generally he perceived in men of devout simplicity this opinion: that the secrets of nature were the secrets of God, part of that glory into which man is not to press too boldly. By Francis Bacon Secrets God Generally Opinion Part

Men suppose their reason has command over their words; still it happens that words in return exercise authority on reason By Francis Bacon Men Reason Words Suppose Command

A just fear of an imminent danger, though be no blow given, is a lawful cause of war. By Francis Bacon Danger War Fear Imminent Blow

My painting is not violent, it's life that is violent. Even within the most beautiful landscape, in the trees, under the leaves, the insects are eating each other; violence is a part of life. We are born with a scream; we come into life with a scream and maybe love is a mosquito net between the fear of living and the fear of death. By Francis Bacon Violent Life Painting Fear Scream

Nay, the same Solomon the king, although he excelled in the glory of treasure and magnificent buildings, of shipping and navigation, of service and attendance, of fame and renown, and the like, yet he maketh no claim to any of those glories, but only to the glory of inquisition of truth; for so he saith expressly, "The glory of God is to conceal a thing, but the glory of the king is to find it out;" as if, according to the innocent play of children, the Divine Majesty took delight to hide His works, to the end to have them found out; and as if kings could not obtain a greater honour than to be God's playfellows in that game By Francis Bacon Glory God King Solomon Divine

I have to hope that my instincts will do the right thing, because I can't erase what I have done. And if I drew something first, then my paintings would be illustrations of drawings. By Francis Bacon Thing Hope Instincts Erase Drawings

Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men's nurses. By Francis Bacon Wives Mistresses Companions Age Nurses

A principal fruit of friendship, is the ease and discharge of the fullness and swellings of the heart, which passions of all kinds do cause and induce. By Francis Bacon Friendship Heart Induce Principal Fruit

Life, an age to the miserable, and a moment to the happy. By Francis Bacon Life Miserable Happy Age Moment

There is in human nature generally more of the fool than of the wise. By Francis Bacon Wise Human Nature Generally Fool

Age appears best in four things: old wood to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust and old authors to read. By Francis Bacon Age Things Burn Drink Read

Beauty itself is but the sensible image of the Infinite. By Francis Bacon Infinite Beauty Image

Acorns were good until bread was found. By Francis Bacon Acorns Found Good Bread

Doctor Johnson said, that in sickness there were three things that were material; the physician, the disease, and the patient: and if any two of these joined, then they get the victory; for, Ne Hercules quidem contra duos [Not even Hercules himself is a match for two]. If the physician and the patient join, then down goes the disease; for then the patient recovers: if the physician and the disease join, that is a strong disease; and the physician mistaking the cure, then down goes the patient: if the patient and the disease join, then down goes the physician; for he is discredited. By Francis Bacon Physician Disease Hercules Patient Johnson

But by far the greatest hindrance and aberration of the human understanding proceeds from the dullness, incompetency, and deceptions of the senses; in that things which strike the sense outweigh things which do not immediately strike it, though they be more important. Hence it is that speculation commonly ceases where sight ceases; insomuch that of things invisible there is little or no observation. By Francis Bacon Strike Incompetency Things Dullness Important

But I account the use that a man should seek of the publishing of his own writings before his death, to be but an untimely anticipation of that which is proper to follow a man, and not to go along with him. By Francis Bacon Man Death Account Seek Publishing

I think of myself as a kind of pulverizing machine into which everything I look at and feel is fed. I believe that I am different from the mixed-media jackdaws who use photographs etc. more or less literally. By Francis Bacon Fed Kind Pulverizing Machine Feel

Painting today is pure intuition and luck and taking advantage of what happens when you splash the stuff down. By Francis Bacon Painting Today Pure Intuition Luck

But by far the greatest obstacle to the progress of science and to the undertaking of new tasks and provinces therein is found in this-that men despair and think things impossible. By Francis Bacon Impossible Greatest Obstacle Progress Science

But it is not only the difficulty and labor which men take in finding out of truth, nor again that when it is found it imposeth upon men's thoughts, that doth bring lies in favor; but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself. By Francis Bacon Men Truth Thoughts Favor Difficulty

Great art is deeply ordered. Even if within the order there may be enormously instinctive and accidental things, nevertheless they come out of a desire for ordering and for returning fact onto the nervous system in a more violent way. By Francis Bacon Great Ordered Art Deeply Things

If I go to the National Gallery and I look at one of the great paintings that excite me there, it's not so much the painting that excites me as that the painting unlocks all kinds of valves of sensation within me which return me to life more violently. By Francis Bacon Painting National Gallery Violently Excite

Those herbs which perfume the air most delightfully, not passed by as the rest, but, being trodden upon and crushed, are three; that is, burnet, wild thyme and watermints. Therefore, you are to set whole alleys of them, to have the pleasure when you walk or tread. By Francis Bacon Burnet Delightfully Rest Crushed Wild

Generally, youth is like the first cogitations, not so wise as the second. For there is a youth in thoughts, as well as in ages. And yet the invention of young men, is more lively than that of old; and imaginations stream into their minds better, and, as it were, more divinely. By Francis Bacon Generally Cogitations Youth Wise Thoughts

Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried, or childless men. By Francis Bacon Works Public Unmarried Men Greatest

And yet surely to alchemy this right is due, that it may be compared to the husbandman whereof Aesop makes the fable, that when he died he told his sons that he had left unto them gold buried under the ground in his vineyard: and they digged over the ground, gold they found none, but by reason of their stirring and digging the mould about the roots of their vines, they had a great vintage the year following: so assuredly the search and stir to make gold hath brought to light a great number of good and fruitful inventions and experiments, as well for the disclosing of nature as for the use of man's life. By Francis Bacon Gold Ground Great Aesop Due

Men on their side must force themselves for a while to lay their notions by and begin to familiarize themselves with facts. By Francis Bacon Men Facts Side Force Lay

Another diversity of Methods is according to the subject or matter which is handled; for there is a great difference in delivery of the Mathematics, which are the most abstracted of knowledges, and Policy, which is the most immersed ... , yet we see how that opinion, besides the weakness of it, hath been of ill desert towards learning, as that which taketh the way to reduce learning to certain empty and barren generalities; being but the very husks and shells of sciences, all the kernel being forced out and expulsed with the torture and press of the method. By Francis Bacon Mathematics Policy Handled Knowledges Immersed

Men fear death as children fear to go into the dark and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other By Francis Bacon Fear Men Tales Children Death

No man's fortune can be an end worthy of his being. By Francis Bacon Man Fortune End Worthy

If vices were profitable, the virtuous man would be the sinner. By Francis Bacon Profitable Sinner Vices Virtuous Man

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. By Francis Bacon Finds Wise Man Make Opportunities

As you work, the mood grows on you. There are certain images which suddenly get hold of me and I really want to do them. But it's true to say that the excitement and possibilities are in the working and obviously can only come in the working. By Francis Bacon Work Mood Grows Working Images

Whence we see spiders, flies, or ants entombed and preserved forever in amber, a more than royal tomb. By Francis Bacon Flies Spiders Amber Tomb Ants

Secrecy in suits goes a great way towards success. By Francis Bacon Secrecy Success Suits Great

I want a very ordered image, but I want it to come about by chance. By Francis Bacon Image Chance Ordered

I would like, in my arbitrary way, to bring one nearer to the actual human being. By Francis Bacon Arbitrary Bring Nearer Actual Human

All authority must be out of a man's self, turned ... either upon an art, or upon a man. By Francis Bacon Turned Man Authority Art

I work for posterity, these things requiring ages for their accomplishment. By Francis Bacon Posterity Accomplishment Work Things Requiring

A prudent question is one-half of wisdom. By Francis Bacon Wisdom Prudent Question Onehalf

There is no doubt but men of genius and leisure may carry our method to greater perfection, but, having had long experience, we have found none equal to it for the commodiousness it affords in working with the Understanding. By Francis Bacon Understanding Perfection Experience Doubt Men

People of age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon and seldom drive business home to it's conclusion, but content themselves with a mediocrity of success. By Francis Bacon People Consult Long Adventure Repent

Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise. By Francis Bacon Wise Doth Hurt State Cunning

For my name and memory I leave to men's charitable speeches, and to foreign nations and the next ages. By Francis Bacon Speeches Ages Memory Leave Men

Moreover, the works already known are due to chance and experiment rather than to sciences; for the sciences we now possess are merely systems for the nice ordering and setting forth of things already invented; not methods of invention or directions for new works. By Francis Bacon Works Sciences Invented Due Chance

Nothing doth so much keep men out of the Church, and drive men out of the Church, as breach of unity. By Francis Bacon Church Men Unity Doth Drive

The ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obstructs the understanding. By Francis Bacon Understanding Ill Unfit Choice Words

Nor is mine a trumpet which summons and excites men to cut each other to pieces with mutual contradictions, or to quarrel and fight with one another; but rather to make peace between themselves, and turning with united forces against the Nature of Things By Francis Bacon Things Nature Contradictions Mine Trumpet

Why should a man be in love with his fetters, though of gold? By Francis Bacon Fetters Gold Man Love

In mathematics I can report no deficiency, except it be that men do not sufficiently understand the excellent use of Pure Mathematics. By Francis Bacon Mathematics Pure Deficiency Report Men

He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other. By Francis Bacon Builds Good Hand Advice Counsel

The great advantages of simulation and dissimulation are three. First to lay asleep opposition and to surprise. For where a man's intentions are published, it is an alarum to call up all that are against them. The second is to reserve a man's self a fair retreat: for if a man engage himself, by a manifest declaration, he must go through, or take a fall. The third is, the better to discover the mind of another. For to him that opens himself, men will hardly show themselves adverse; but will fair let him go on, and turn their freedom of speech to freedom of thought. By Francis Bacon Man Great Advantages Simulation Dissimulation

Aristippus said: That those that studied particular sciences, and neglected philosophy, were like Penelope's wooers, that made love to the waiting women. By Francis Bacon Penelope Aristippus Sciences Philosophy Wooers

Parents who wish to train up their children in the way they should go must go in the way in which they would have their children go. By Francis Bacon Children Parents Train

Human knowledge and human power meet in one; for where the cause is not known the effect cannot be produced. Nature to be commanded must be obeyed; and that which in contemplation is as the cause is in operation as the rule. By Francis Bacon Human Produced Knowledge Power Meet

The first question concerning the Celestial Bodies is whether there be a system, that is whether the world or universe compose together one globe, with a center, or whether the particular globes of earth and stars be scattered dispersedly, each on its own roots, without any system or common center. By Francis Bacon Center Celestial Bodies System Dispersedly

Take an arrow, and hold it in flame for the space of ten pulses, and when it cometh forth you shall find those parts of the arrow which were on the outsides of the flame more burned, blacked, and turned almost to coal, whereas the midst of the flame will be as if the fire had scarce touched it. This is an instance of great consequence for the discovery of the nature of flame; and sheweth manifestly, that flame burneth more violently towards the sides than in the midst. By Francis Bacon Flame Arrow Midst Blacked Pulses

We are much beholden to Machiavelli and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do . For it is not possible to join serpentine wisdom with the columbine innocency, except men know exactly all the conditions of the serpent; his baseness and going upon his belly, his volubility and lubricity, his envy and sting, and the rest; that is, all forms and natures of evil. For without this, virtue lieth open and unfenced. Nay, an honest man can do no good upon those that are wicked, to reclaim them, without the help of the knowledge of evil. By Francis Bacon Men Machiavelli Evil Innocency Serpent

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator. By Francis Bacon Evils Innovator Apply Remedies Expect

That things are changed, and that nothing really perishes, and that the sum of matter remains exactly the same, is sufficiently certain. By Francis Bacon Changed Perishes Things Sum Matter

It cannot be denied that outward accidents conduce much to fortune, favor, opportunity, death of others, occasion fitting virtue; but chiefly, the mold of a man's fortune is in his own hands By Francis Bacon Favor Opportunity Death Occasion Virtue

The cause and root of nearly all evils in the sciences is this-that while we falsely admire and extol the powers of the human mind we neglect to seek for its true helps. By Francis Bacon Root Evils Sciences Thisthat Falsely

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our handand melting like a snowflake ... By Francis Bacon Begin Eternity Moment Sparkling Snowflake

The poets did well to conjoin music and medicine, in Apollo, because the office of medicine is but to tune the curious harp of man's body and reduce it to harmony. By Francis Bacon Apollo Medicine Harmony Poets Conjoin

If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that may be said to possess him. By Francis Bacon Thy Servant Master Money Possess

Religion brought forth riches, and the daughter devoured the mother. By Francis Bacon Religion Riches Mother Brought Daughter

A good name is like precious ointment ; it filleth all round about, and will not easily away; for the odors of ointments are more durable than those of flowers. By Francis Bacon Flowers Good Precious Filleth Round

There is no man doth a wrong for the wrong's sake; but thereby to purchase himself profit, or pleasure, or honour, or the like. There, why should I be angry with a man for loving himself better than me? And if any man should do wrong merely out of ill nature, why, yet it is but like the thorn or briar, which prick and scratch, because they can do no other. By Francis Bacon Sake Profit Pleasure Honour Man

Men in great place are thrice servants, servants to the sovereign or state, servants of fame, and servants of business, so as they have freedom, neither in their persons, nor in their actions, nor in their times. By Francis Bacon Servants Men State Fame Business

Without friends the world is but a wilderness. By Francis Bacon Wilderness Friends World

It is impossible to love and be wise. By Francis Bacon Wise Impossible Love

Another argument of hope may be drawn from this-that some of the inventions already known are such as before they were discovered it could hardly have entered any man's head to think of; they would have been simply set aside as impossible. For in conjecturing what may be men set before them the example of what has been, and divine of the new with an imagination preoccupied and colored by the old; which way of forming opinions is very fallacious, for streams that are drawn from the springheads of nature do not always run in the old channels. By Francis Bacon Drawn Impossible Set Argument Hope

Jesus would have been one of the best photographers that ever existed. He was always looking at the beauty of people souls. In fact Jesus was constantly making pictures of God in people's life by looking at their souls and exposing them to his light. By Francis Bacon Existed Jesus Photographers People Souls

Friendship redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in half. By Francis Bacon Friendship Joys Half Redoubleth Cutteth

Nature cannot be commanded except by being obeyed. By Francis Bacon Nature Obeyed Commanded

Such philosophy as shall not vanish in the fume of subtile, sublime, or delectable speculation but shall be operative to the endowment and betterment of man's life. By Francis Bacon Sublime Subtile Life Philosophy Vanish

To seek to extinguish anger utterly is but a bravery of the Stoics. We have better oracles: 'Be angry, but sin not.' 'Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.' By Francis Bacon Stoics Seek Extinguish Anger Utterly

The general root of superstition : namely, that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss; and commit to memory the one, and forget and pass over the other. By Francis Bacon Superstition Hit Miss General Root

The general root of superstition is that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss, and commit to memory the one, and pass over the other. By Francis Bacon Hit Miss General Root Superstition

I'm working for myself; what else have I got to work for? How can you work for an audience? What do you imagine an audience would want? I have got nobody to excite except myself, so I am always surprised if anyone likes my work sometimes. I suppose I'm very lucky, of course, to be able to earn my living by something that really absorbs me to try to do, if that is what you call luck. By Francis Bacon Work Working Audience Imagine Lucky

Books must follow sciences, and not sciences books.[Proposition touching Amendment of Laws] By Francis Bacon Proposition Laws Amendment Books Books

It is by discourse that men associate; and words are imposed according to the apprehension of the vulgar. And therefore the ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obsesses the understanding. Nor do the definitions or explanations, wherewith in some things learned men are wont to guard and defend themselves, by any means set the matter right. But words plainly force and overrule the understanding, and throw all into confusion, and lead men away into innumerable and inane controversies and fancies. By Francis Bacon Words Men Associate Vulgar Understanding

Why should I be angry with a man for loving himself better than me? By Francis Bacon Angry Man Loving

First therefore let us seek the dignity of knowledge in the archetype or first platform, which is in the attributes and acts of God, as far as they are revealed to man and may be observed with sobriety; wherein we may not seek it by the name of Learning; for all Learning is Knowledge acquired, and all Knowledge in God is original: and therefore we must look for it by another name, that of Wisdom or Sapience, as the Scriptures call it. By Francis Bacon Knowledge God Learning Sapience Wisdom

This communicating of a Man's Selfe to his Frend works two contrarie effects; for it re-doubleth Joys, and cutteth Griefs in halves. By Francis Bacon Joys Man Selfe Frend Griefs

Base and crafty cowards are like the arrow that flieth in the dark. By Francis Bacon Base Dark Crafty Cowards Arrow

For many parts of Nature can neither be invented with sufficient subtlety, nor demonstrated with sufficient perspicuity, nor accommodated unto use with sufficient dexterity, without the aid and intervening of the mathematics, of which sort are perspective, music, astronomy, cosmography, architecture, engineery, and divers others. By Francis Bacon Sufficient Music Astronomy Cosmography Architecture

For it is not possible to join serpentine wisdom with columbine innocence, except men know exactly all the conditions of the serpent: his baseness and going upon his belly, his volubility and lubricity, his envy and sting, and the rest; that is, all forms and natures of evil: for without this, virtue lieth open and unfenced. By Francis Bacon Innocence Serpent Belly Lubricity Sting

Disciples do owe their masters only a temporary belief, and a suspension of their own judgment till they be fully instructed ... By Francis Bacon Disciples Belief Instructed Owe Masters

We rise to great heights by a winding staircase of small steps. By Francis Bacon Steps Rise Great Heights Winding

Such is the way of all superstition, whether in astrology, dreams, omens, divine judgments, or the like; wherein men, having a delight in such vanities, mark the events where they are fulfilled, but where they fail, though this happen much oftener. By Francis Bacon Dreams Omens Superstition Astrology Divine

It was a good answer that was made by one who when they showed him hanging in a temple a picture of those who had paid their vows as having escaped shipwreck, and would have him say whether he did not now acknowledge the power of the gods, - 'Aye,' asked he again, 'but where are they painted that were drowned after their vows?' And such is the way of all superstition, whether in astrology, dreams, omens, divine judgments, or the like; wherein men, having a delight in such vanities, mark the events where they are fulfilled, but where they fail, though this happens much oftener, neglect and pass them by. By Francis Bacon Aye Vows Shipwreck Gods Asked

All superstition is much the same whether it be that of astrology, dreams, omen, retributive judgment, or the like, in all of which the deluded believers observe events which are fulfilled, but neglect and pass over their failure, though it be much more common. By Francis Bacon Dreams Omen Astrology Retributive Judgment

There are many wise men that have secret hearts and transparent countenances. By Francis Bacon Countenances Wise Men Secret Hearts

The place of justice is a hallowed place. By Francis Bacon Place Justice Hallowed

The light that a man receives by counsel from another is drier and purer than that which comes from his own understanding and judgment, which is ever infused and drenched in his affections and customs. By Francis Bacon Judgment Customs Light Man Receives

Suspicion amongst thoughts are like bats amongst birds, they never fly by twilight. By Francis Bacon Suspicion Birds Twilight Thoughts Bats

Come home to men's business and bosoms. By Francis Bacon Bosoms Home Men Business

What is truth? said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer. By Francis Bacon Truth Pilate Answer Jesting Stay

The human understanding, when any preposition has been once laid down ... forces everything else to add fresh support and confirmation; and although more cogent and abundant instances may exist to the contrary, yet it either does not observe them or it despises them, or it gets rid of and rejects them by some distinction, with violent and injurious prejudice, rather than sacrifice the authority of its first conclusions. By Francis Bacon Understanding Human Preposition Laid Forces

The human understanding when it has once adopted an opinion (either as being the received opinion or as being agreeable to itself) draws all things else to support and agree with it. By Francis Bacon Draws Opinion Human Understanding Adopted

We see then how far the monuments of wit and learning are more durable than the monuments of power, or of the hands. For have not some books continued twenty-five hundred years or more, without the loss of a syllable or letter; during which time infinite palaces, temples, castles, and cities have been decayed and demolished? By Francis Bacon Monuments Power Hands Wit Learning

The zeal which begins with hypocrisy must conclude in treachery at first it deceives, at last it betrays By Francis Bacon Deceives Betrays Zeal Begins Hypocrisy

Money is like muck, not good unless spread. By Francis Bacon Money Muck Spread Good

The eye of understanding is like the eye of the sense; for as you may see great objects through small crannies or levels, so you may see great axioms of nature through small and contemptible instances. By Francis Bacon Eye Great Small Sense Levels

The wonder of a single snowflake outweighs the wisdom of a million meteorologists. By Francis Bacon Meteorologists Single Snowflake Outweighs Wisdom

He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers [zeros], is the decay of the whole age. By Francis Bacon Ciphers Age Plots Figure Decay

Antiquities are history defaced, or some remnants of history which have casually escaped the shipwreck of time. By Francis Bacon Antiquities Defaced Time History Remnants

A man that is young in years may be old in hours if he have lost no time. By Francis Bacon Time Man Young Years Hours

If a man's wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the schoolmen; for they are cymini sectores, splitters of hairs. By Francis Bacon Differences Schoolmen Sectores Splitters Hairs

When a traveler returneth home, let him not leave the countries where he hath traveled altogether behind him. By Francis Bacon Home Traveler Returneth Leave Countries

Again men have been kept back as by a kind of enchantment from progress in science by reverence for antiquity, by the authority of men counted great in philosophy, and then by general consent. By Francis Bacon Men Antiquity Philosophy Consent Back

I'll follow, as they say, for reward. He that rewards me, God reward him. If I do grow great, I'll grow less; for I'll purge, and leave sack, and live cleanly, as a nobleman should do. By Francis Bacon Follow Reward God Grow Rewards

As is the garden such is the gardener. A man's nature runs either to herbs or weeds. By Francis Bacon Gardener Garden Weeds Man Nature

The Idols of Tribe have their foundation in human nature itself, and in the tribe or race of men. For it is a false assertion that the sense of man is the measure of things. On the contrary, all perceptions as well of the sense as of the mind are according to the measure of the individual and not according to the measure of the universe. And the human understanding is like a false mirror, which, receiving rays irregularly, distorts and discolors the nature of things by mingling its own nature with it. By Francis Bacon Tribe Idols Measure Nature Men

Nothing is terrible except fear itself. By Francis Bacon Terrible Fear

First the amendment of their own minds. For the removal of the impediments of the mind will sooner clear the passages of fortune than the obtaining fortune will remove the impediments of the mind. By Francis Bacon Mind Impediments Amendment Fortune Minds

Defer not charities till death; for certainly, if a man weigh it rightly, he that doth so is rather liberal of another man's than of his own. By Francis Bacon Defer Death Rightly Man Charities

Look upon good books; they are true friends, that will neither flatter nor dissemble: be you but true to yourself...and you shall need no other comfort nor counsel. By Francis Bacon Books Friends Dissemble Counsel True

The nature of things betrays itself more readily under the vexations of art than in its natural freedom. By Francis Bacon Freedom Nature Things Betrays Readily

Those who have handled sciences have been either men of experiment or men of dogmas. The men of experiment are like the ant, they only collect and use; the reasoners resemble spiders, who make cobwebs out of their own substance. But the bee takes a middle course: it gathers its material from the flowers of the garden and of the field, but transforms and digests it by a power of its own. Not unlike this is the true business of philosophy; for it neither relies solely or chiefly on the powers of the mind, nor does it take the matter which it gathers from natural history and mechanical experiments and lay it up in the memory whole, as it finds it, but lays it up in the understanding altered and digested. By Francis Bacon Men Experiment Dogmas Handled Sciences

Despise no new accident in your body, but ask opinion of it ... There is a wisdom in this beyond the rules of physic. A man's observation, what he finds good and of what he finds hurt of, is the best physic to preserve health. By Francis Bacon Despise Body Accident Opinion Physic

When a bee stings, she dies. She cannot sting and live. When men sting, their better selves die. Every sting kills a better instinct. Men must not turn bees and kill themselves in stinging others. By Francis Bacon Sting Men Dies Die Live

Histories make men wise; poets, witty; the mathematics, subtle; natural philosophy, deep; moral, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend. By Francis Bacon Poets Witty Subtle Deep Moral

If there be fuel prepared, it is hard to tell whence the spark shall come that shall set it on fire. By Francis Bacon Prepared Fire Fuel Hard Spark

If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world. By Francis Bacon Strangers World Man Gracious Courteous

If a man is gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows that he is a citizen of the world. By Francis Bacon Strangers World Man Gracious Courteous

Aristotle ... a mere bond-servant to his logic, thereby rendering it contentious ... By Francis Bacon Aristotle Logic Contentious Mere Bondservant

But this is that which will dignify and exalt knowledge: if contemplation and action be more nearly and straitly conjoined and united together than they have been: a conjunction like unto that of the highest planets, Saturn, the planet of rest and contemplation, and Jupiter, the planet of civil society and action. By Francis Bacon Saturn Planet Action Jupiter Contemplation

Silence is the virtue of fools. By Francis Bacon Silence Fools Virtue

Revenge is a kind of wild justice. By Francis Bacon Revenge Justice Kind Wild

If any human being earnestly desire to push on to new discoveries instead of just retaining and using the old; to win victories over Nature as a worker rather than over hostile critics as a disputant; to attain, in fact, clear and demonstrative knowlegde instead of attractive and probable theory; we invite him as a true son of Science to join our ranks. By Francis Bacon Nature Science Disputant Attain Fact

Judges must beware of hard constructions and strained inferences, for there is no worse torture than that of laws. By Francis Bacon Judges Inferences Laws Beware Hard

I've had photographs taken for portraits because I very much prefer working from the photographs than from models ... I couldn't attempt to do a portrait from photographs of somebody I didn't know ... By Francis Bacon Photographs Models Prefer Working Portraits

One always starts work with the subject, no matter how tenuous it is, and one constructs an artificial structure by which one can trap the reality of the subject-matter that one has started from. By Francis Bacon Subject Starts Work Matter Tenuous

There was never miracle wrought by God to convert an atheist, because the light of nature might have led him to confess a God. By Francis Bacon God Atheist Miracle Wrought Convert

For better it is to make a beginning of that which may lead to something, than to engage in a perpetual struggle and pursuit in courses which have no exit. By Francis Bacon Exit Make Beginning Lead Engage

A man were better relate himself to a statue or picture than to suffer his thoughts to pass in smother. By Francis Bacon Smother Man Relate Statue Picture

It is a miserable state of mind to have few things to desire and many things to fear. By Francis Bacon Things Fear Miserable State Mind

Nor do apophthegms only serve for ornament and delight, but also for action and civil use, as being the edge-tools of speech which cut and penetrate the knots of business and affairs: for occasions have their revolutions, and what has once been advantageously used may be so again, either as an old thing or a new one. By Francis Bacon Delight Affairs Revolutions Apophthegms Serve

Important families are like potatoes. The best parts are underground. By Francis Bacon Important Potatoes Families Underground Parts

For fountains, they are a Great Beauty and Refreshment, but Pools mar all, and make the Garden unwholesome, and full of Flies and Frogs. By Francis Bacon Refreshment Frogs Great Beauty Pools

But the idols of the Market Place are the most troublesome of all: idols which have crept into the understanding through their alliances with words and names. For men believe that their reason governs words. But words turn and twist the understanding. This it is that has rendered philosophy and the sciences inactive. Words are mostly cut to the common fashion and draw the distinctions which are most obvious to the common understanding. Whenever an understanding of greater acuteness or more diligent observation would alter those lines to suit the true distinctions of nature, words complain. By Francis Bacon Market Place Idols Words Understanding

The breath of flowers is far sweeter in the air than in the hand. By Francis Bacon Hand Breath Flowers Sweeter Air

I would like my pictures to look as if a human being had passed between them, like a snail leaving its trail of the human presence ... as a snail leaves its slime. By Francis Bacon Human Presence Snail Pictures Passed

Nakedness is uncomely, as well in mind as body, and it addeth no small reverence to men's manners and actions if they be not altogether open. Therefore set it down: That a habit of secrecy is both politic and moral. By Francis Bacon Nakedness Uncomely Body Open Mind

The fortune which nobody sees makes a person happy and unenvied. By Francis Bacon Unenvied Fortune Makes Person Happy

Neither is it possible to discover the more remote and deeper parts of any science, if you stand but upon the level of the same science, and ascend not to a higher science. By Francis Bacon Science Discover Remote Deeper Parts

Ask counsel of both timesof the ancient time what is best, and of the latter time what is fittest. By Francis Bacon Time Fittest Counsel Timesof Ancient

I should have been, I don't know, a con-man, a robber or a prostitute. But it was vanity that made me choose painting, vanity and chance. By Francis Bacon Conman Prostitute Robber Vanity Painting

Mark what a generosity and courage (a dog) will put on when he finds himself maintained by a man, who to him is instead of a God By Francis Bacon God Mark Courage Dog Man

The productions of the mind and hand seem very numerous in books and manufactures. But all this variety lies in an exquisite subtlety and derivations from a few things already known, not in the number of axioms. VIII By Francis Bacon Manufactures Productions Mind Hand Numerous

The lame man who keeps the right road outstrips the runner who takes the wrong one. By Francis Bacon Lame Man Road Outstrips Runner

Let no one think or maintain that a person can search too far or be too well studied in either the book of God's word or the book of God's works. By Francis Bacon God Book Works Maintain Person

Men ought to find the difference between saltiness and bitterness. Certainly, he that hath a satirical vein, as he maketh others afraid of his wit, so he had need be afraid of others' memory. By Francis Bacon Men Bitterness Find Difference Saltiness

One of the fathers saith ... that old men go to death, and death comes to young men. By Francis Bacon Saith Men Death Fathers Young

When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never forgive the loss of their prerogative. By Francis Bacon Friends Man Laughs Troubles Loses

If you want to convey fact, this can only ever be done through a form of distortion. You must distort to transform what is called appearance into image. By Francis Bacon Fact Distortion Convey Form Image

The human understanding, from its peculiar nature, easily supposes a greater degree of order and equality in things than it really finds. By Francis Bacon Understanding Nature Easily Finds Human

Money is a good servant, a dangerous master. By Francis Bacon Money Servant Master Good Dangerous

When any of the four pillars of government-religion, justice, counsel, and treasure-are mainly shaken or weakened, men had need to pray for fair weather. By Francis Bacon Justice Counsel Governmentreligion Weakened Men

There was never proud man thought so absurdly well of himself, as the lover doth of the person loved; and therefore it was well said, That it is impossible to love, and to be wise. By Francis Bacon Loved Love Wise Proud Man

Nothing opens the heart like a true friend, to whom you may impart griefs, joys, fears, hopes ... and whatever lies upon the heart ... By Francis Bacon Joys Fears Hopes Heart Friend

Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends By Francis Bacon Friends Champagne Real Pain Sham

It's always hopeless to talk about painting - one never does anything but talk around it. By Francis Bacon Painting Talk Hopeless

Knowledge is a rich storehouse for the glory of the Creator and the relief of man's estate. By Francis Bacon Creator Knowledge Estate Rich Storehouse

It's all so meaningless, we may as well be extraordinary. By Francis Bacon Meaningless Extraordinary

It's such an extraordinary supple medium that you never do quite know what paint will do. By Francis Bacon Extraordinary Supple Medium Paint

But men must know, that in this theatre of man's life it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers on. By Francis Bacon God Men Theatre Man Life

Suspicions that the mind, of itself, gathers, are but buzzes; but suspicions that are artificially nourished and put into men's heads by the tales and whisperings of others, have stings. By Francis Bacon Gathers Suspicions Mind Buzzes Stings

It is a great happiness when men's professions and their inclinations accord. By Francis Bacon Accord Great Happiness Men Professions

I wonder why it is that the countries with the most nobles also have the most misery? By Francis Bacon Misery Countries Nobles

Above all, believe it, the sweetest canticle is Nunc dimittis, when a man hath obtained worthy ends and expectations. Death hath this also, that it openeth the gate to good fame, and extinguisheth envy. By Francis Bacon Nunc Dimittis Expectations Hath Sweetest

There was never law, or sect, or opinion did so much magnify goodness, as the Christian religion doth. By Francis Bacon Christian Law Sect Goodness Doth

The person is a poor judge who by an action can be disgraced more in failing than they can be honored in succeeding. By Francis Bacon Succeeding Person Poor Judge Action

I usually accept bribes from both sides so that tainted money can never influence my decision. By Francis Bacon Decision Accept Bribes Sides Tainted

Young men, in the conduct and manage of actions, embrace more than they can hold; stir more than they can quiet; fly to the end, without consideration of the means and degrees; pursue some few principles, which they have chanced upon absurdly; care not to innovate, which draws unknown inconveniences; use extreme remedies at first; and, that which doubleth all errors, will not acknowledge or retract them; like an unready horse, that will neither stop nor turn. By Francis Bacon Young Men Actions Embrace Hold

You cannot teach a child to take care of himself unless you will let him try to take care of himself. He will make mistakes and out of these mistakes will come his wisdom. By Francis Bacon Care Teach Child Mistakes Wisdom

There is nothing more certain in nature than that it is impossible for any body to be utterly annihilated. By Francis Bacon Annihilated Nature Impossible Body Utterly

Anger is certainly a kind of baseness, as it appears well in the weakness of those subjects in whom it reigns: children, women, old folks, sick folks. By Francis Bacon Children Women Folks Anger Baseness

It might be a long trip, so be careful not to wear your shoes out: you might need them in the afterlife. By Francis Bacon Trip Afterlife Long Careful Wear

Nevertheless if any skillful Servant of Nature shall bring force to bear on matter, and shall vex it and drive it to extremities as if with the purpose of reducing it to nothing, then will matter (since annihilation or true destruction is not possible except by the omnipotence of God) finding itself in these straits, turn and transform itself into strange shapes, passing from one change to another till it has gone through the whole circle and finished the period. By Francis Bacon Matter God Servant Nature Finding

Pyrrhus, when his friends congratulated to him his victory over the Romans under Fabricius, but with great slaughter of his own side, said to them, "Yes; but if we have such another victory, we are undone." By Francis Bacon Pyrrhus Fabricius Romans Victory Side

The doctrines of religion are resolved into carefulness; carefulness into vigorousness; vigorousness into guiltlessness; guiltlessness into abstemiousness; abstemiousness into cleanliness; cleanliness into godliness. By Francis Bacon Carefulness Vigorousness Guiltlessness Abstemiousness Cleanliness

Certainly this is a duty, not a sin. Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness. By Francis Bacon Duty Sin Cleanliness Godliness

By this means we presume we have established for ever, a true and legitimate marriage between the Empirical and Rational faculty; whose fastidious and unfortunate divorce and separation hath troubled and disordered the whole race and generation of mankind. By Francis Bacon Empirical Rational Faculty Mankind Presume

Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience. He that travelleth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel. By Francis Bacon Part Travel Sort Education Elder

It would be unsound fancy and self-contradictory to expect that things which have never yet been done can be done except by means which have never yet been tried. By Francis Bacon Unsound Fancy Selfcontradictory Expect Things

All good moral philosophy is ... but the handmaid to religion. By Francis Bacon Good Moral Philosophy Religion Handmaid

Boldness is ever blind, for it sees not dangers and inconveniences whence it is bad in council though good in execution. By Francis Bacon Boldness Blind Execution Dangers Inconveniences

Boldness is a child of ignorance By Francis Bacon Boldness Ignorance Child

In all negotiations of difficulty, a man may not look to sow and reap at once; but must prepare business, and so ripen it by degrees. By Francis Bacon Difficulty Business Degrees Negotiations Man

He was reputed one of the wise men that made answer to the question when a man should marry? 'A young man not yet, an elder man not at all.' By Francis Bacon Man Marry Reputed Wise Men

Men leave their riches either to their kindred or their friends, and moderate portions prosper best in both. By Francis Bacon Men Friends Leave Riches Kindred

The best preservative to keep the mind in health is the faithful admonition of a friend. By Francis Bacon Friend Preservative Mind Health Faithful

A false friend is more dangerous than an open enemy By Francis Bacon Enemy False Friend Dangerous Open

The pencil of the Holy Ghost hath labored more in describing the afflictions of Job than the felicities of Solomon. By Francis Bacon Solomon Holy Ghost Job Pencil

No one has yet been found so firm of mind and purpose as resolutely to compel himself to sweep away all theories and common notions, and to apply the understanding, thus made fair and even, to a fresh examination of particulars. Thus it happens that human knowledge, as we have it, is a mere medley and ill-digested mass, made up of much credulity and much accident, and also of the childish notions which we at first imbibed. By Francis Bacon Understanding Notions Made Found Firm

The human understanding is moved by those things most which strike and enter the mind simultaneously and suddenly, and so fill the imagination; and then it feigns and supposes all other things to be somehow, though it cannot see how, similar to those few things by which it is surrounded. By Francis Bacon Things Suddenly Imagination Similar Surrounded

The correlative to loving our neighbors as ourselves is hating ourselves as we hate our neighbors. By Francis Bacon Neighbors Correlative Loving Hating Hate

Learning hath his infancy, when it is but beginning and almost childish; then his youth, when it is luxuriant and juvenile; then his strength of years, when it is solid and reduced; and lastly his old age, when it waxeth dry and exhaust. By Francis Bacon Learning Infancy Childish Youth Juvenile

There is a cunning which we in England call "the turning of the cat" in the pan; which is, when that which a man says to another, he says it as if another had said it to him. By Francis Bacon England Call Cat Pan Cunning

It is a good point of cunning for a man to shape the answer he would have in his own words and propositions, for it makes the other party stick the less. By Francis Bacon Propositions Good Point Cunning Man

Reading maketh a full man; and writing an axact man. And, therefore, if a man write little, he need have a present wit; and if he read little, he need have much cunning to seem to know which he doth not. By Francis Bacon Man Reading Maketh Full Writing

Dreams, and predictions of astrology ... ought to serve but for winter talk by the fireside. By Francis Bacon Dreams Astrology Predictions Fireside Serve

Of all virtues and dignities of the mind, goodness is the greatest, being the character of the Deity; and without it, man is a busy, mischievous, wretched thing. By Francis Bacon Deity Mischievous Mind Goodness Greatest

Observation and experiment for gathering material, induction and deduction for elaborating it: these are are only good intellectual tools. By Francis Bacon Observation Material Induction Tools Experiment

It is good discretion not make too much of any man at the first; because one cannot hold out that proportion. By Francis Bacon Proportion Good Discretion Make Man

Then bless thy secret growth, nor catch At noise, but thrive unseen and dumb; Keep clean, be as fruit, earn life, and watch, Till the white-wing'd reapers come. By Francis Bacon Till Growth Noise Dumb Clean

It has well been said that the arch-flatterer, with whom all petty flatterers have intelligence, is a man's self. By Francis Bacon Archflatterer Intelligence Petty Flatterers Man

The partitions of knowledge are not like several lines that meet in one angle, and so touch not in a point; but are like branches of a tree, that meet in a stem, which hath a dimension and quantity of entireness and continuance, before it come to discontinue and break itself into arms and boughs. By Francis Bacon Meet Angle Point Tree Stem

The divisions of science are not like different lines that meet in one angle, but rather like the branches of trees that join in one trunk. By Francis Bacon Angle Trunk Divisions Science Lines

Very few people have a natural feeling for painting, and so, of course, they naturally think that painting is an expression of the artist's mood. But it rarely is. Very often he may be in greatest despair and be painting his happiest paintings. By Francis Bacon Mood Painting People Natural Feeling

To suffering there is a limit; to fearing, none. By Francis Bacon Limit Fearing Suffering

As the births of living creatures are at first ill-shapen, so are all innovations, which are the births of time. By Francis Bacon Births Illshapen Innovations Time Living

States are great engines moving slowly. By Francis Bacon States Slowly Great Engines Moving

States, as great engines, move slowly. By Francis Bacon States Engines Move Slowly Great

Of great wealth there is no real use, except in its distribution, the rest is just conceit. By Francis Bacon Distribution Conceit Great Wealth Real

Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. By Francis Bacon Man Reading Conference Maketh Full

All of our actions take their hue from the complexion of the heart, as landscapes their variety from light. By Francis Bacon Heart Light Actions Hue Complexion

The only hope [of science] ... is in genuine induction. By Francis Bacon Hope Science Induction Genuine

For cleanness of body was ever esteemed to proceed from a due reverence to God, to society, and to ourselves. By Francis Bacon God Society Cleanness Body Esteemed

I think that one of the things is that, if you are going to decide to be a painter, you have got to decide that you are not going to be afraid of making a fool of yourself. I think another thing is to be able to find subjects which really absorb you to try and do. I feel that without a subject you automatically go back into decoration because you haven't got the subject which is always eating into you to bring it back - and the greatest art always returns you to the vulnerability of the human situation. By Francis Bacon Decide Painter Afraid Making Fool

The images of men's wit and knowledge remain in books, exempted from the worry of time and capable of perpetual renovation. By Francis Bacon Books Exempted Renovation Images Men

God has placed no limits to the exercise of the intellect he has given us, on this side of the grave. By Francis Bacon God Grave Limits Exercise Intellect

Let the mind be enlarged ... to the grandeur of the mysteries, and not the mysteries contracted to the narrowness of the mind By Francis Bacon Mind Enlarged Mysteries Grandeur Contracted

There ought to be gardens for all months in the year, in which, severally, things of beauty may be then in season. By Francis Bacon Severally Year Things Season Gardens

The speaking in a perpetual hyperbole is comely in nothing but love. By Francis Bacon Love Speaking Perpetual Hyperbole Comely

Spouses are great impediments to great enterprises. By Francis Bacon Spouses Enterprises Great Impediments

Out of monuments, names, words proverbs ... and the like, we do save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time. By Francis Bacon Monuments Words Proverbs Time Save

It is the true office of history to represent the events themselves, together with the counsels, and to leave the observations and conclusions thereupon to the liberty and faculty of every man's judgment By Francis Bacon Counsels Judgment True Office History

An artist must learn to be nourished by his passions and by his despairs, By Francis Bacon Despairs Artist Learn Nourished Passions

It Is The Wisdom Of Crocodiles, That Shed Tears When They Would Devour By Francis Bacon Crocodiles Devour Wisdom Shed Tears

Truth is a naked and open daylight By Francis Bacon Truth Daylight Naked Open

It was prettily devised of Aesop, The fly sat on the axle tree of the chariot wheel and said, what dust do I raise! By Francis Bacon Aesop Raise Prettily Devised Fly

No body can be healthful without exercise, neither natural body nor politic, and certainly, to a kingdom or estate, a just and honourable war is the true exercise. By Francis Bacon Exercise Politic Estate Body Healthful

The desire of excessive power caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge caused men to fall. By Francis Bacon Fall Desire Caused Excessive Power

For friendship maketh indeed a fair day in the affections, from storm and tempests; but it maketh daylight in the understanding, out of darkness and confusion of thoughts. By Francis Bacon Affections Tempests Understanding Thoughts Maketh

We gave ourselves for lost men, and prepared for death. Yet we did lift up our hearts and voices to God above, who "showeth His wonders in the deep". By Francis Bacon Men Death Gave Lost Prepared

Some men covet knowledge out of a natural curiosity and inquisitive temper; some to entertain the mind with variety and delight; some for ornament and reputation; some for victory and contention; many for lucre and a livelihood; and but few for employing the Divine gift of reason to the use and benefit of mankind. By Francis Bacon Divine Temper Delight Reputation Contention

REVENGE is a kind of wild justice; which the more man's nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out. By Francis Bacon Revenge Justice Kind Wild Man

I foresee it and yet I hardly ever carry it out as I foresee it. It transforms itself by the actual paint. I don't in fact know very often what the paint will do, and it does many things which are very much better than I could make it do. By Francis Bacon Foresee Carry Paint Transforms Actual

Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgement and execution of business. By Francis Bacon Ornament Ability Delight Studies Serve

Nothing is more pleasant to the eye than green grass kept finely shorn. By Francis Bacon Shorn Pleasant Eye Green Grass

Judges ought above all to remember the conclusion of the Roman Twelve Tables :The supreme law of all is the weal [weatlh/ well-being] of the people. By Francis Bacon Tables Weatlh Wellbeing Roman Twelve

[Science is] the labor and handicraft of the mind. By Francis Bacon Science Mind Labor Handicraft

So that every wand or staff of empire is forsooth curved at top. By Francis Bacon Top Wand Staff Empire Forsooth

I want to make portraits and images. I don't know how. Out of despair, I just use paint anyway. Suddenly the things you make coagulate and take on just the shape you intend. Totally accurate marks, which are outside representational marks. By Francis Bacon Images Portraits Marks Make Despair

Be so true to thyself, as thou be not false to others. By Francis Bacon Thyself True Thou False

It is rightly laid down that 'true knowledge is knowledge by causes'. Also the establishment of four causes is not bad: material, formal, efficient and final. By Francis Bacon Knowledge True Rightly Laid Material

Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the wise, the admiration of fools, the idols of paradise, and the slaves of their own vaunts. By Francis Bacon Vainglorious Wise Fools Paradise Vaunts

Before I start painting I have a slightly ambiguous feeling: happiness is a special excitement because unhappiness is always possible a moment later. By Francis Bacon Feeling Happiness Start Painting Slightly

A king that would not feel his crown too heavy for him, must wear it every day; but if he think it too light, he knoweth not of what metal it is made. By Francis Bacon Day Light Made King Feel

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. By Francis Bacon Certainties End Doubts Begin Man

Philosophers make imaginary laws for imaginary commonwealths, and their discourses are as the stars, which give little light because they are so high. By Francis Bacon Philosophers Commonwealths Stars High Imaginary

For all knowledge and wonder (which is the seed of knowledge) is an impression of pleasure in itself. By Francis Bacon Knowledge Seed Impression Pleasure

Lukewarm persons think they may accommodate points of religion by middle ways and witty reconcilements,as if they would make an arbitrament between God and man. By Francis Bacon God Lukewarm Man Persons Accommodate

The world's a bubble, and the life of man, Less than a span. By Francis Bacon Bubble Man Span World Life

Good fame is like fire; when you have kindled you may easily preserve it; but if you extinguish it, you will not easily kindle it again. By Francis Bacon Easily Good Fire Fame Kindled

Houses are built to live in, and not to look on: therefore let use be preferred before uniformity. By Francis Bacon Houses Uniformity Built Live Preferred

An illustrational form tells you through the intelligence immediately what the form is about, whereas a non-illustrational form works first upon sensation and then slowly leaks back into the fact. By Francis Bacon Form Fact Illustrational Intelligence Immediately

Velazquez found the perfect balance between the ideal illustration which he was required to produce, and the overwhelming emotion he aroused in the spectator. By Francis Bacon Velazquez Produce Spectator Found Perfect

Praise from the common people is generally false, and rather follows the vain than the virtuous. By Francis Bacon Praise False Virtuous Common People

It is the peculiar and perpetual error of the human understanding to be more moved and excited by affirmatives than by negatives. By Francis Bacon Negatives Peculiar Perpetual Error Human

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. By Francis Bacon Brightly Present Order Light Shine

Upon a given body to generate and superinduce a new nature or new natures is the work and aim of human power. To discover the Form of a given nature, or its true difference, or its causal nature, or fount of its emanation ... this is the work and aim of human knowledge. By Francis Bacon Nature Power Work Aim Human

Every person born in the USA is endowed with life, liberty, and a substantial share of the national debt. By Francis Bacon Liberty Usa Life Debt Person

I confess that I have as vast contemplative ends, as I have moderate civil ends: for I have taken all knowledge to be my province. By Francis Bacon Ends Province Confess Vast Contemplative

The worst solitute is to be destitute of true friendship. By Francis Bacon Friendship Worst Solitute Destitute True

The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses. By Francis Bacon Hits Misses Root Superstition Men

The genius, wit, and the spirit of a nation are discovered by their proverbs. By Francis Bacon Wit Genius Proverbs Spirit Nation

Books speak plain when counselors blanch. By Francis Bacon Books Blanch Speak Plain Counselors

There was a young man in Rome that was very like Augustus Caesar; Augustus took knowledge of it and sent for the man, and asked him "Was your mother never at Rome?" He answered "No Sir; but my father was." By Francis Bacon Rome Augustus Caesar Man Young

Young people are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and more fit for new projects than for settled business. By Francis Bacon Fitter Young Judge Counsel Business

The genius of any single man can no more equal learning, than a private purse hold way with the exchequer. By Francis Bacon Learning Exchequer Genius Single Man

Whoseoever is delighted in solitude, is either a wild beast or a god. Certain it is that the light that a man receiveth by counsel from another is drier and purer than that which cometh from his own understanding and judgment. By Francis Bacon Whoseoever Solitude God Delighted Wild

Our humanity is a poor thing, except for the divinity that stirs within us. By Francis Bacon Thing Humanity Poor Divinity Stirs

Hope is the most beneficial of all the affections, and doth much to the prolongation of life ... By Francis Bacon Hope Affections Life Beneficial Doth

Fashion is only the attempt to realize art in living forms and social intercourse. By Francis Bacon Fashion Intercourse Attempt Realize Art

Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation, all which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, though religion were not; but superstition dismounts all these, and erects an absolute monarchy in the minds of men-the master of superstition is the people; and arguments are fitted to practice, in a reverse order. By Francis Bacon Superstition Atheism Sense Philosophy Piety

The French are wiser than they seem, and the Spaniards seem wiser than they are. By Francis Bacon French Spaniards Wiser

Money is like manure, of very little use except it be spread. By Francis Bacon Money Manure Spread

For a crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love. By Francis Bacon Company Pictures Cymbal Love Crowd

It was well said that envy keeps no holidays. By Francis Bacon Holidays Envy

All will come out in the washing. By Francis Bacon Washing

Nay, number itself in armies importeth not much, where the people is of weak courage; for, as Virgil saith, It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep be. By Francis Bacon Nay Virgil Number Courage Saith

The virtue of prosperity is temperance, the virtue of adversity is fortitude. By Francis Bacon Virtue Temperance Fortitude Prosperity Adversity

Painting is a duality and abstract painting is an entirely aesthetic thing. It always remains on one level. It is only really interesting in the beauty of its patterns or its shapes. By Francis Bacon Painting Thing Duality Abstract Aesthetic

It is nothing won to admit men with an open door, and to receive them with a shut and reserved countenance. By Francis Bacon Door Countenance Won Admit Men

Truth will sooner come out from error than from confusion. By Francis Bacon Truth Confusion Sooner Error

Those that want friends to open themselves unto are cannibals of their own hearts. By Francis Bacon Hearts Friends Open Cannibals

In every great time there is some one idea at work which is more powerful than any other, and which shapes the events of the time and determines their ultimate issues. By Francis Bacon Issues Time Great Idea Work

Nothing destroys authority more than the unequal and untimely interchange of power stretched too far and relaxed too much. By Francis Bacon Destroys Authority Unequal Untimely Interchange

It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else, and still unknown to himself. By Francis Bacon Sad Fate Man Die Unknown

The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery. By Francis Bacon Mystery Job Artist Deepen

All artists are vain, they long to be recognized and to leave something to posterity. They want to be loved, and at the same time they want to be free. But nobody is free. By Francis Bacon Vain Posterity Free Artists Long

I don't think people are born artists; I think it comes from a mixture of your surroundings, the people you meet, and luck. By Francis Bacon Artists Surroundings Meet Luck People

You see, painting has now become, or all art has now become completely a game, by which man distracts himself. What is fascinating actually is, that it's going to become much more difficult for the artist, because he must really deepen the game to become any good at all. By Francis Bacon Painting Game Art Completely Man

No artist knows in his own lifetime whether what he does will be the slightest good, because it takes at least seventy-five to a hundred years before the thing begins to sort itself out. By Francis Bacon Good Artist Lifetime Slightest Seventyfive

Beauty is as summer fruits, which are easy to corrupt, and cannot last; and for the most part it makes a dissolute youth, and an age a little out of countenance; but yet certainly again, if it light well, it maketh virtue shine, and vices blush. By Francis Bacon Beauty Fruits Corrupt Youth Countenance

Who ever is out of patience is out of possession of their soul. By Francis Bacon Soul Patience Possession

A man finds himself seven years older the day after his marriage. By Francis Bacon Marriage Man Finds Years Older

There arises from a bad and inapt formation of words, a wonderful obstruction to the mind. By Francis Bacon Words Mind Arises Bad Inapt

Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; 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 to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. By Francis Bacon Read Confute Granted Discourse Books

Certainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man's mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth. By Francis Bacon Earth Charity Rest Providence Truth

There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that which is lost by not trying. By Francis Bacon Lost Comparison Succeeding

Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper. By Francis Bacon Hope Breakfast Supper Good Bad

Learning teaches how to carry things in suspense, without prejudice, till you resolve it. By Francis Bacon Learning Suspense Prejudice Till Teaches

The first remedy or prevention is to remove, by all means possible, that material cause of sedition whereof we spake; which is, want and poverty in the estate. By Francis Bacon Remove Spake Estate Remedy Prevention

The worst men often give the best advice. By Francis Bacon Advice Worst Men Give

And as for Mixed Mathematics, I may only make this prediction, that there cannot fail to be more kinds of them, as nature grows further disclosed. By Francis Bacon Mathematics Mixed Prediction Disclosed Make

The master of superstition, is the people; and in all superstition, wise men follow fools; and arguments are fitted to practice, in a reversed order. By Francis Bacon Superstition People Wise Fools Practice

The greatest trust between man and man is the trust of giving counsel. By Francis Bacon Counsel Trust Man Greatest Giving

It cannot be that axioms established by argumentation should avail for the discovery of new works, since the subtlety of nature is greater many times over than the subtlety of argument. But axioms duly and orderly formed from particulars easily discover the way to new particulars, and thus render sciences active. By Francis Bacon Subtlety Works Argument Axioms Established

The surest way to prevent seditions ... is to take away the matter of them. By Francis Bacon Seditions Surest Prevent Matter

Great art is always a way of concentrating, reinventing what is called fact, what we know of our existence- a reconcentration ... tearing away the veils, the attitudes people acquire of their time and earlier time. Really good artists tear down those veils By Francis Bacon Great Concentrating Reinventing Fact Existence

We only have our nervous system to paint. By Francis Bacon Paint Nervous System

It is idle to expect any great advancement in science from the superinducing and engrafting of new things upon old. We must begin anew from the very foundations, unless we would revolve for ever in a circle with mean and contemptible progress. By Francis Bacon Idle Expect Great Advancement Science

Life is a marshmallow, easy to chew but hard to swallow. By Francis Bacon Life Marshmallow Easy Swallow Chew

Envy is ever joined with the comparing of a man's self; and where there is no comparison, no envy. By Francis Bacon Comparison Envy Joined Comparing Man

A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth virtue in others. For men's minds, will either feed upon their own good, or upon others' evil; and who wanteth the one, will prey upon the other; and whoso is out of hope, to attain to another's virtue, will seek to come at even hand, by depressing another's fortune. By Francis Bacon Virtue Man Hath Envieth Minds

Brutes by their natural instinct have produced many discoveries, whereas men by discussion and the conclusions of reason have given birth to few or none. By Francis Bacon Brutes Discoveries Natural Instinct Produced

If the hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet will go to the hill. By Francis Bacon Mahomet Hill

Princes are like heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil times, and which have much veneration, but no rest. By Francis Bacon Princes Bodies Times Veneration Rest

Lastly, I would address one general admonition to all: that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it not either for pleasure of the mind, or for contention, or for superiority to others, or for profit, or fame, or power, or any of these inferior things: but for the benefit and use of life; and that they perfect and govern it in charity. By Francis Bacon Lastly Knowledge Mind Contention Profit

A picture should be a re-creation of an event rather than an illustration of an object; but there is no tension in the picture unless there is a struggle with the object. By Francis Bacon Object Picture Recreation Event Illustration

That which above all other yields the sweetest smell in the air is the violet. By Francis Bacon Violet Yields Sweetest Smell Air

There is no great concurrence between learning and wisdom. By Francis Bacon Wisdom Great Concurrence Learning

Hurl your calumnies boldly; something is sure to stick. By Francis Bacon Hurl Boldly Stick Calumnies

A sudden bold and unexpected question doth many times surprise a man and lay him open. By Francis Bacon Open Sudden Bold Unexpected Question

Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable. By Francis Bacon Write Moment Thoughts Valuable Unsought

Nothing is so mischievous as the apotheosis of error. By Francis Bacon Error Mischievous Apotheosis

Nuptial love makes mankind; friendly love perfects it; but wanton love corrupts and debases it. By Francis Bacon Love Nuptial Mankind Friendly Makes

Nupital love maketh mankind; friendly love perfecteth it; but wanton love corrupteth, and embaseth it. By Francis Bacon Love Nupital Mankind Friendly Corrupteth

Rebellions of the belly are the worst. By Francis Bacon Rebellions Worst Belly

Neither the naked hand nor the understanding left to itself can effect much. It is by instruments and helps that the work is done, which are as much wanted for the understanding as for the hand. And as the instruments of the hand either give motion or guide it, so the instruments of the mind supply either suggestions for the understanding or cautions. By Francis Bacon Understanding Hand Instruments Naked Left

There are two books laid before us to study, to prevent our falling into error; first, the volume of the Scriptures, which reveal the will of God; then the volume of the Creatures, which express His power. By Francis Bacon Volume Scriptures God Creatures Study

Those experiments be not only esteemed which have an immediate and present use, but those principally which are of most universal consequence for invention of other experiments, and those which give more light to the invention of causes; for the invention of the mariner's needle, which giveth the direction, is of no less benefit for navigation than the invention of the sails, which give the motion. By Francis Bacon Invention Give Experiments Needle Direction

Where a man cannot fitly play his own part; if he have not a friend, he may quit the stage. By Francis Bacon Part Friend Stage Man Fitly

I loathe my own face, and I've done self-portraits because I've had nobody else to do. By Francis Bacon Face Loathe Selfportraits

Riches are for spending. By Francis Bacon Riches Spending

Fortune makes him fool, whom she makes her darling. By Francis Bacon Fortune Fool Darling Makes

The worst solitude is to have no real friendships. By Francis Bacon Friendships Worst Solitude Real

Everybody has his own interpretation of a painting he sees ... By Francis Bacon Interpretation Painting

Science is but an image of the truth. By Francis Bacon Science Truth Image

Small amounts of philosophy lead to atheism, but larger amounts bring us back to God. By Francis Bacon God