Biography

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Biography Category
Detail of Biography - Francis Bacon
Name :
Francis Bacon
Date :
Views :
571
Category :
Birth Date :
22/01/1561
Birth Place :
London
Death Date :
April 9, 1626
Biography - Francis Bacon
Not Available
[b]Young Francis
[/b][br /]
[br /]

The younger of Sir Nicholas Bacon’s two sons, Francis, was born on January 22, 1561 at York House in the Strand.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Parentage[/b][br /]
[br /]

His father, Sir Nicholas Bacon was a man of humble parentage. He studied at Cambridge and was appointed to an important legal position at the age of 27, even before he had practiced his profession. He became a solicitor to the University of Cambridge. He held an important position during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Francis' childhood was spent in grandeur for his father owned a large estate and had at least 70 attendants. Francis was born to sophisticated family but not in aristocracy.[br /]
[br /]


Francis resembled his mother Anne Bacon, and was a favorite of his parents. Anne Bacon’s lofty ideals coupled with common sense, resulted in Francis’ peculiar development of mind, having tendencies not completely and conventionally normal. Father, Sir Nicholas, who appeared as a very stout and formidable personality, was in fact witty, wise and modest. His insistence on living in a little house drew a comment from Queen Elizabeth, who once visited his house, "My Lord, what a little house have you gotten". But, Sir Nicholas replied calmly: "Madam, my house is well, but it is you that have made me too great for my house".[br /]
[br /]


At the age of 12, Francis met Queen Elizabeth. She asked Francis how old he was and Francis replied: "Two years younger than her Majesty’s happy reign". The Queen was delighted and impressed by his reply. The Queen nicknamed him as "My Young Lord Keeper".[br /]
[br /]


The dissolution of Monasteries during those days helped Bacon Sr to acquire estates. He was mainly interested in improving his land, which was obvious, as his forefathers were farmers and shepherds. Sir Nicholas’ belief in perfection is revealed from the fact that all rooms of their house had well-planned plumbing system, at Gorhambury, served with a pipe, bringing water from a pond, a mile away. He faced great responsibilities, in difficult times, very confidently. His self-control was extraordinary.[br /]
[br /]


He, like his wife, too had a peculiar nature, but unlike his son Francis, was able to keep himself cool and under control revealing a perfectly normal personality. Anne Bacon was a woman famed for erudition and Protestant zeal.[br /]
[br /]


She knew Latin and Greek. Her passionate attachment with her sons, led her to exhort them, when they were deeply rooted in affairs of state, on their religion, morals and material welfare. But her fanatical and eccentric behavior made her demented. Sir Nicholas sent Francis to Lord Burghley for his early education. There he joined, Robert Cecil, Burghley’s son. But, in his later years, Bacon sharply criticized household education in his De Augmentis, "I am, clearly, in favor of a collegiate education for boys and young men; not in private houses, nor merely under school masters. For in colleges there is greater emulation of the youths among themselves; there is also the sight and countenance of grave men, which tends to inculcate modesty and forms their young minds from the very beginning. In short, there are very many advantages in a collegiate education." This seems to be emanating from self-experience.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Education[/b][br /]
[br /]


In 1573, at the age of 12 Francis entered Trinity College, Cambridge and studied there until 1575. After three years at Trinity College, Cambridge, at the age of 16, he went to France as a member of the team of Sir Amias Paulet, who was the English Ambassador to France. There at the court he learned French, diplomacy and[br /]
[br /]


courtly etiquette. He impressed the ambassador by his hard work but he found that his philosophical studies were more interesting. The well known philosopher, logician and teacher Peter Ramus’ criticism on Aristotle was the current and hot topic of that time as Ramus had mentioned in his thesis that all of Aristotle’s propositions were wrong. He also suggested some improvements in it. These suggestions of Ramus helped Bacon’s own development in Inductive Logic. His visits to Blois, Towis and Poistiers made him aware of scientific matters. The idea of writing his own work was conceived after reading Montaigue’s Essays. Hilliard painted a miniature of Bacon and wrote, "If only one could paint his mind".[br /]
[br /]

[b]Sudden Loss Of Father[/b][br /]
[br /]


Francis once dreamt that his father’s house was plastered over with black mortar and shortly thereafter, news came that his father Sir Nicholas was no more. Francis of 18, returned to England with an official message by Sir Amias to the Queen. "Francis, was of great hope, and endured with many good and singular parts and if God gave him life, would prove a very able and sufficient subject to do Her Highness good and acceptable service."[br /]
[br /]


Though he belonged to the higher echelons of social circle, at the age of 18, he suddenly found himself without a father, without adequate income; but with acquired natural ambitions. Francis being the youngest, remained virtually penniless.[br /]
[br /]


In order to get out of poverty and establish himself he had to study law. Bacon and his brother joined Grays Inn, an institution for legal education, with the intention of continuing their education under the sons of eminent Judges. He was 19 by that time. He thought of doing legal work for the Queen and for that he sought help of his Uncle Lord Burghley. In 1576 Bacon was admitted as a Senior Governor of Gray’s Inn. He became a leading lawyer of England at a young age, thus earning the queen’s notice.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Coping Up With Life[/b][br /]
[br /]


His poverty taught him the harsh lessons of life. May be this was one of the main reasons which led him to beg, borrow and finally accept the bribes. Bacon was known for accepting heavy bribes in cash and kind. Precious articles like diamond ring, gold buttons and routine articles like grocery and apothecary. Another interesting fact worth noting was that public probity was at its lowest levels in all walks of life then.[br /]
[br /]


Bacon, along with his mother started listening to lectures on law. While Anthony was on tour to Europe, Bacon looked after all his legal affairs. From the very beginning, he seemed to be chasing professional, philosophical and political ends simultaneously. This contributed a lot to his achievements and failures. [br /]
[br /]


At the age of 23, in 1584, He became Member of Parliament, getting elected from Melcombe Regis constituency and thus entered the House of Commons. Wheels were set in motion to turn England back from Protestantism to Catholicism and install Mary Queen of Scots on the throne. Attempts to assassinate Queen Elizabeth became a regular feature and so loyal citizens were permitted to kill Queen’s enemies at sight without questions being asked. Through a long letter, Bacon advised the Queen how to demoralize the enemies without applying force. According to him, schools and schoolmasters should be the target, as teaching students would help in reducing number of Catholics.[br /]
[br /]


Later on, Burghley helped Bacon, by using his influence, to secure the advancing of date of qualifying to plead in the courts. Also Burghley pointed out that the very people alleging Bacon of arrogance to which Bacon replied in his letter of thanks "such persons as are of nature bashful (as myself is), whereby they want that plausible familiarity which others have, are often mistaken for proud". He urged Burghley to believe ‘that arrogance and over weaning is so far from my nature, as if I think well of myself in anything it is in this that I am free from that vice---’[br /]
[br /]

[b]Establishing His Roots[/b][br /]
[br /]


By now Bacon had become qualified to plead in the Westminster courts. He was equally engaged in the House of Commons, and in the social life of the Inns of Court along with his legal career and his private studies. Politically, he favored the execution of Mary Queen of Scots.[br /]
[br /]


Bacon, in his late 20s was highly concerned with the management of the country’s economic affairs and in dealing with the problems faced by the government. Reading Machiavelli helped Bacon to study obsequiousness, which was a striking feature of his career. Bacon now started supporting Commons, which was a dangerous course and also engaged himself in solving the controversy of the church. He also made remarks on qualifications for leadership in the church.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Bacon : The Courtier[/b][br /]
[br /]


He was against synods in the church, as democratic principles would not help, especially in matters of religion. He wanted dictatorship and not anarchism: "Better it is to live where nothing is lawful, than where all things are lawful". Bacon received the clerkship of the Star Chamber at £1,600 a year, which strengthened his economic position. To consolidate it further, he looked for help in directions other than official sources. He met Earl of Essex, who was six years his junior and a dignified soldier. Queen Elizabeth appointed him as one of her several counsels as there was a danger of Spanish invasion in 1588. Impressed by Essex’s generous sympathy, Bacon said, "He was the fittest instrument to do good to the state; and therefore I applied myself to him in a manner which I think happeneth rarely among men".[br /]
[br /]


Later on, brother Anthony joined Bacon in service to Essex. But Bacon’s applications to Burghley were not stopped. At the age of 32, he wrote to Burghely "I was now some what ancient; one and thirty years is a great deal of sand in the hour glass." But Burghley and also the Queen found lack of ideological solidarity in Bacon. These things made Bacon lean heavily on his mother for financial and moral support. She had a hectic life as a head of the family apart from the conflicts faced by the children, which divided her maternal affection among her sons.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Bacon And His Mother[/b][br /]
[br /]


Bacon’s own style was a bit rationalization of his mother’s. His letters to his mother portray him as caring and respectful. But even his mother was deeply concerned with the lifestyle of Bacon. Worried, she wrote to Anthony about Bacon, "I verily think your brother’s weak stomach to digest hath been much caused and confirmed by untimely going to bed, and then musing nescioquid when he should sleep, and then in consequent by late rising and long lying in bed; whereby his men are made slothful and himself continueth sickly." Unhappy with Bacon’s reply to her strictures, she said, "I do not understand his enigmatical folded writing. But his trust in God may save him for he was his father’s first choice, and has good gifts of natural wit and understanding."[br /]
[br /]

[b]Suffering The Wrath Of The Queen[/b][br /]
[br /]


With the threat of Spanish invasion looming at large, Queen Elizabeth tried to take advantage of the situation by seeking triple subsidy to finance necessary military defense. Bacon’s leadership contributed to the increased power of Commons. Commons did not surrender its privileges on subsidies and so the Crown was forced to withdraw. Queen Elizabeth was infuriated at this and for four years she refused to see Bacon. During this time Edward Coke, Bacon’s senior and a brilliant lawyer appeared. He was elected to Parliament in 1593 and on his legal background; he was made Speaker of the House. He became natural aspirant to the Attorneyship, which was about to fall vacant.[br /]
[br /]

[b]The Ebb In Career[/b][br /]
[br /]


His financial position deteriorated and took a turn for worse. Bacon started borrowing money and as he was expected at a position of an Attorney General, several persons were prepared to lend him money. The anxiety and responsibility affected his health. Despite of Essex’s hard attempts, Bacon lost the election for Attorneyship and Coke was appointed, in 1594. It was a serious blow to Bacon. "This very delay hath gone so near me, as it hath almost overthrown my health."[br /]
[br /]


In November 1595, once again the Queen avoided Bacon and Fleming was appointed as the Solicitor. However she withdrew her ban on his presence from her court.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Glimpse Of The Writer Within[/b][br /]
[br /]


Bacon’s failure for Attorney and Solicitorship’s led him towards legal and some professional activity. He started giving lectures on law at Gray’s Inn. Bacon had, by the time, started pouring down his ideas and thoughts on paper. In 1596, he composed a work called the Colors of Good and Evil. The first edition of his Essays also got published in the subsequent year.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Regaining Favors Of The Queen[/b][br /]
[br /]


By then Bacon grew more intimate to the Queen than ever before. His intimacy became troublesome for some people and he received life-threatening calls from them. Bacon made officious attempts to bring in reconciliation between the Queen and the Earl of Essex, but all in vain and finally Essex was arrested for his disloyalty to Queen. Bacon remained far from these developments and became an audience along with the Queen, assuring her of his loyalty. Finally Earl of Essex was executed. Bacon’s attitude towards Essex, of helping him till last moment; detaching himself, when it became impossible to save him and following a rational policy, has been justified by subsequent history.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Death Of His Brother[/b][br /]
[br /]


In 1601 Anthony, Bacon’s brother, died who had long been bedridden. Bacon’s profound and passionate affection for Anthony was a significant feature of his character. It proved his capacity of deepest emotional attachment.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Death Of Queen Elizabeth[/b][br /]
[br /]


Queen Elizabeth died in 1603. Bacon was Queen’s Counsel without a written appointment, and even at the age of 42 he was without any official position or salary. With the end of Elizabeth’s reign, or with the beginning of James I's, he drafted a preface for the work, in which his stress was on his aims and his personal qualifications, which had substantial autobiographical notes. "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 be best served, and what service I was myself best fitted by nature to perform".In 1603 Francis Bacon received knighthood during the reign of James I. Shortly thereafter he found himself with less legal work and was more inclined to having a purely intellectual life. This is when he entered into serious writing.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Reign Of King James I[/b][br /]
[br /]


In later years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign he remained dull and almost drift. But with her death and accession of new king James I, he got a break for the first time in life. The change brought great hopes. He decided to write a general review of learning to interpret and master ‘nature’. The title was The Advancement of Learning. Bacon cleverly dedicated the work to the king. His hard work in the Parliamentary political union of England and Scotland, obtained King James’ direct appreciation. With this in 1604, at 43, he received for the first time an official appointment as King’s counsel with a pension of £ 60 a year.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Marriage[/b][br /]
[br /]


Bacon did not marry until he was 46 and then, it seems, more for convenience than affection. His wife Alice Barnaham was very much his junior, younger than 20 years or more and possibly 15 of age. She was daughter of Alderman, member of city legislative body (municipal council), with a useful dowry. Bacon later cut her off from his will short before his death. She subsequently married one of her gentleman ushers.[br /]
[br /]


After marriage Bacon tried harder than ever before for the Solicitorship. In 1607 he was appointed at that position and he was paid about £ 1000 a year. With this he became financially sound. His appointment as the Solicitor–General was followed by the reversion of the clerkship of the Star Chamber in 1608. Meanwhile, he also lost his beloved mother.[br /]
[br /]

[b]His Ambitions[/b][br /]
[br /]


With the death of Lord Chief Justice he hoped for a promotion in that place with ease and more comfort, as he was already 52. He wanted to succeed Hubbard who was an Attorney-General. For this he wrote to the King, and King accepted Bacon’s plan. Bacon became Attorney-General in 1613, which was, at last, a position of some influence that he was always trying to seek. He was also successful in demoting Coke, who was extremely reluctant to leave his place as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. He roared at Bacon saying, "Mr. Attorney, all this is your doing".[br /]
[br /]


With more favor received by the King and Buckingham, Bacon was made Lord Chancellor during a great feast at Buckingham in celebration of the King’s reception. With the ambition of being a chancellor accomplished, Bacon was much relaxed and at that time published Novum Organum.[br /]
[br /]



His 60th birthday was on January 22, 1621. Ben Johnson wrote verses in honor of the event.[br /]
[br /]


[i]Hail, happy genius of this ancient Pile,[br /]

How comes it all things so about thee smile ?[br /]

The fire, the wine, the men ? and in the midst[br /]

Thou standist as if some mystery thou didst…[br /]
[/i]
[b]The Fall[/b][br /]
[br /]


The birthday was celebrated magnificently. But the good days were numbered and fall was about to come for this statesman. Once, the Commons had sent a demand to the Lords for an inquiry. It was regarding patents given by Bacon. This was like reviving the old principle of parliamentary impeachment and it implied putting limitations on James I, the King himself. Formerly the Commons used to approach Bacon or Buckingham for such problems. So Bacon felt depressed, "but now, as if we had both ceased to exit, they go to the Parliament. All this is most dis-respectful. I will therefore, tell you a fable. In the days when animals could speak, there was a cow burthened with too heavy a tail, and, before the end of the winter she had it cut off. When the summer came, and the flies began to annoy her, she would have had her tail back again. I and Buckingham are like the cow’s tail, and when the session is over you will be glad to have us back again to defend you from abuses".[br /]
[br /]

[b]Accused Of Corruption[/b][br /]
[br /]


A former deputy Registrar of the Chancery, John Churchill, who was sacked by Bacon many a times, for irregularities in his work, gave some information, which accused Bacon of corruption. Then some Christopher Aubrey appeared at the House of Commons with a petition charging Bacon of bribery. Bacon regarded these accusations as a revenge for failure to overthrow him by his enemies who questioned him regarding patents. His health broke down under strain. Then fresh petition came to Commons, demanding an inquiry into Bacon’s acceptance of a bribe of £ 300 from Lady Wharton.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Case Of Lady Wharton[/b][br /]
[br /]


The case was thus – Lady Wharton had been married three times and through some confidential papers one of her servants discovered that she was not entitled to inherit property form her second husband. A suit was filed and the case was before Bacon and to settle this she paid him three hundred pounds. Lady Wharton complained that though she had paid her money she had not got what she wanted. Lady Wharton wanted to alter the decree to retain the land she inherited from her second husband. [br /]
[br /]

[b]Imprisonment[/b][br /]
[br /]


Bacon was impeached and tried in a case of bribery. Two of Bacon’s enemies sat in judgement the Earl of Suffolk, three years ago dismissed from office on conviction of embezzlement, with Bacon on the Commission against him; and the Earl of Southampton, partner of Essex in the treason of 1601. Bacon finally confessed his crime.The Lords agreed easily about Bacon’s fine and imprisonment. These were routine punishments and not too serious. After agreeing without dissent that Bacon was guilty, he was fined £40,000 with imprisonment in the Tower, leaving him incapable of holding any office in the state and not allowing him to sit in Parliament. At first, as Bacon was ill, his imprisonment was delayed but at the end of May, 1621 he was imprisoned.[br /]
[br /]

[b]Self Imposed Exile From Public Life[/b][br /]
[br /]


Bacon withdrew from public life. He attempted to govern a corrupt society through his aptitude alone, acting through the King and one or two other powerful persons. There was no one who could guide and assist him on correction of the mismanagement of his finances, and help him where he was frail.[br /]
[br /]


While he was in Tower, he wrote to Buckingham to help him. "But to die before the time of his Majesty’s grace, and in this disgraceful place, is even the worse that could be". He was then released on the King’s order.[br /]
[br /]


The highs and lows of life had taken its toll on his health. He remained aloof from public life and for rest of his life he occupied himself with some sincere work among which, History of Henry VII is significant and shows his strength of mind after such a fall. He died of bronchitis on April 9, 1626.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]

[b]FRANCIS BACON[/b][br /]
[br /]

The life of Francis Bacon is a story of a life devoted to great ideas. These ideas grew on him from his very childhood and pre-occupied him until his death.[br /]
[br /]


His genius has been hailed as one of the greatest in the world of literature, yet his essays provide an insight into governing the problems freed by the society.[br /]
[br /]


Bacon was a philosopher, statesman, writer and a lawyer. He joined politics to satisfy his craving for power. He advocated original ways by which men could establish legitimate command.[br /]
[br /]


Though he had a scientific bent of mind, he was engaged with organizational and utilization aspect of science in the upliftment of the society.[br /]
[br /]


His writings reveal his precise and original thinking and correctly cast him as a prophet of modern literature.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]

[b]JANUARY 22, 1561[/b] Born at London.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1573 [/b]Entered the Trinity College.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1576 [/b]Admitted as a Senior Governor of Gray’s Inn.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1579 [/b]Father, Sir Nicholas died in February.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1582 [/b]Admitted to the Bar as Barrister.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1584 [/b]Entered the House of Commons being elected from Melcombe.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1586 [/b]Qualified to plead in Westminster Council.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1593 [/b]Took a seat in the parliament for Middlesex.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1597 [/b]Publication of his essays.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1603 [/b]Knighted by James I.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1605 [/b]Published The Advancement of Learning.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1607 [/b]Appointed Solicitor General.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1610 [/b]Bacon’s mother passed away at the age of 80.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1613 [/b]Appointment as Attorney General.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1616 [/b]Became Privy Counselor.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1617 [/b]Appointed Lord Keeper.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1618 [/b]Became Lord Chancellor.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1620 [/b]Publication of Novum Organum.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1621 [/b]Was made a Peer.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1623 [/b]Published De Augmentis Scientarum.[br /]
[br /]

[b]1624 [/b]Published Apothegm.[br /]
[br /]

[b]April 9, 1626[/b] Bacon passed away.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]

Bacon’s writings can be categorized into philosophical, purely literary and professional works. The Advancement of Learning and Novum Organum are his best works on Philosophy.[br /]
[br /]

[i][b]THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


It was a general review of learning to interpret and master nature. He addressed this work to the King James in order to secure his sympathy.[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]NOVUM ORGANUM[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


Bacon wanted to explore his new method to replace the old one described nearly two thousand years ago by Aristotle in the work titled the Organon. Thus the new method became New Organon or Novum Organum. The name honored Aristotle himself. It was drawn up in six parts. Bacon regarded it as a considerable contribution to the "art itself of interpreting nature, and of the truer exercise of the intellect."[br /]
[br /]

[b]ESSAYS[/b][br /]
[br /]


Bacon’s Essays was a significant contribution to Literature. They are like his science, his philosophical experiences; springing from the same root. He poured out his worldly knowledge and experiences into these essays. Below given is a list of essays written by Francis Bacon and extracts from some of his essays:[br /]
[br /]

• To the Duke of Buckingham[br /]

• Of Truth[br /]

• Of Death[br /]

• Of Unity in Religion[br /]

• Of Revenge[br /]

• Of Adversity[br /]

• Of Parents and Children[br /]

• Of Marriage and Single Life[br /]

• Of Envy[br /]

• Of Love[br /]

• Of Nobility[br /]

• Of Simulation and Dissimulation[br /]

• Of Great Place[br /]

• Of Boldness[br /]

• Of Goodness and Goodness of Nature[br /]

• Of Seditions and Troubles[br /]

• Of Atheism[br /]

• Of Travel[br /]

• Of Empire[br /]

• Of Counsel[br /]

• Of Superstition[br /]

• Of Delays[br /]

• Of Cunning[br /]

• Of Wisdom for a Man's Self[br /]

• Of Seeming Wise[br /]

• Of Friendship[br /]

• Of Expense[br /]

• Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates[br /]

• Of Regiment of Health[br /]

• Of Suspicion[br /]

• Of Innovations[br /]

• Of Dispatch[br /]

• Of Discourse[br /]

• Of Plantations[br /]

• Of Riches[br /]

• Of Prophecies[br /]

• Of Ambition[br /]

• Of Custom and Education[br /]

• Of Masques and Triumphs[br /]

• Of Nature in Men[br /]

• Of Beauty[br /]

• Of Deformity[br /]

• Of Building[br /]

• Of Fortune[br /]

• Of Usury[br /]

• Of Youth and Age[br /]

• Of Gardens[br /]

• Of Negotiating[br /]

• Of Followers and Friends[br /]

• Of Suitors[br /]

• Of Studies[br /]

• Of Faction[br /]

• Of Ceremonies and Respects[br /]

• Of Praise[br /]

• Of Vain-glory[br /]

• Of Honor and Reputation[br /]

• Of Judicature[br /]

• Of Fame[br /]

• Of Anger[br /]

• Of Vicissitude of Things[br /]
[br /]

[i][b]Of Truth[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"What is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Certainly there be, that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Death[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"Men fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children, is increased with tales, so is the other. Certainly, the contemplation of death, as the wages of sin, and passage to another world, is holy and religious; but the fear of it, as a tribute due unto nature, is weak."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Parents And Children[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"The joys of parents are secret; and so are their griefs and fears. They cannot utter the one; nor they will not utter the other. Children sweeten labors; but they make misfortunes more bitter. They increase the cares of life; but they mitigate the remembrance of death."[br /]
[br /]

[i][b]Of Marriage And Single Life[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried or childless men; which both in affection and means, have married and endowed the public."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Love[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"The stage is more beholding to love, that 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.[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Goodness And Goodness Of Nature[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"I take goodness in this sense, the affecting of the weal of men, which is that the Grecians call philanthropia; and the word humanity, (as it is used) is a little too light to express it. Goodness I call the habit, and goodness of nature, the inclination."[br /]
[br /]

[i][b]Of Atheism[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a mind. And therefore, God never wrought miracle, to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Superstition[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"It were better to have no opinion of God at all, than such an opinion, as is unworthy of him. For the one is unbelief, the other is contumely; and certainly superstition is the reproach of the Deity."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Innovation[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"As the births of living creatures, at first are ill-shapen so are all innovations, which are the births of time."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Friendship[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"It had been hard for him that spake it to have put more truth and untruth together in few words, than in that speech. Whatsoever is delighted in solitude, is either a wild beast or a god."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Riches[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"I cannot call riches better than the baggage of virtue. The Roman word is better, impedimenta. For as the baggage is to an army, so is riches to virtue."[br /]
[br /]

[i][b]Of Ambition[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"Ambition is like choler; which is an humor that maketh men active, earnest, full of alacrity, and stirring, if it be not stopped. But if it be stopped, and cannot have his way, it becometh adust, and thereby malign and venomous."[br /]
[br /]


Of Masques And Triumphs[br /]
[br /]


"These things are but toys, to come amongst such serious observations. But yet, since princes will have such things, it is better they should be graced with elegancy, than daubed with cost."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Nature In Men[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"Nature is often hidden; sometimes overcome; seldom extinguished. Force, maketh nature more violent in the return; doctrine and discourse, maketh nature less importune; but custom only doth alter and subdue nature."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Customs And Education[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"Men's thoughts, are much according to their inclination; their discourse and speeches, according to their learning and infused opinions; but their deeds, are after as they have been accustomed."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Fortune[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"It cannot be denied, but outward accidents conduce much to fortune; favor, opportunity, death of others, occasion fitting virtue. But chiefly, the mould of a man's fortune is in his own hands."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Beauty[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set; and surely virtue is best, in a body that is comely, though not of delicate features; and that hath rather dignity of presence, than beauty of aspect."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Deformity[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"Deformed persons are commonly even with nature; for as nature hath done ill by them, so do they by nature; being for the most part (as the Scripture saith) void of natural affection; and so they have their revenge of nature."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Praise[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"Praise is the reflection of virtue; but it is as the glass or body, which giveth the reflection. If it be from the common people, it is commonly false and naught; and rather followeth vain persons, than virtuous."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Honour And Reputation[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"The winning of honor, is but the revealing of a man's virtue and worth, without disadvantage. For some in their actions, do woo and effect honor and reputation, which sort of men, are commonly much talked of, but inwardly little admired."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Judicature[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"Judges ought to remember, that their office is jus dicere, and not jus dare; to interpret law, and not to make law, or give law."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Anger[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"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 anger."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Of Fame[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


"The poets make Fame a monster. They describe her in part finely and elegantly, and in part gravely and sententiously. They say, look how many feathers she hath, so many eyes she hath underneath; so many tongues; so many voices; she pricks up so many ears."[br /]
[br /]


[i][b]Other Important Works[/b][/i][br /]
[br /]


His professional works includes Maxims of Law (1630) and Reading on the Statute of Uses (1642), which are significant pleadings in law cases and speeches in Parliament.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]

• Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.[br /]
[br /]

• To choose time is to save time.[br /]
[br /]

• Knowledge itself is power.[br /]
[br /]

• Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.[br /]
[br /]

• Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.[br /]
[br /]

• Money is like muck, not good except it be spread.[br /]
[br /]

• A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.[br /]
[br /]

• There is a difference between happiness and wisdom: he that thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool.[br /]
[br /]

• He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils for time is the greatest innovator.[br /]
[br /]

• Truth will come sooner out of error than from confusion.[br /]
[br /]

• Whoever is out of patience is out of possession of his soul. Men must not turn into bees, and kill themselves in stinging others.[br /]
[br /]

• Praise from the common people is generally false, and rather follows the vain than the virtuous.[br /]
[br /]

• A sudden bold and unexpected question cloth many times surprise a man and lay him open.[br /]
[br /]

• 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.[br /]
[br /]

• Some books are to be tasted; others swallowed; and some to be chewed and digested.[br /]
[br /]

• Books must follow sciences, and not sciences books.[br /]
[br /]

• For what a man would like to do be true, that he more readily believes.[br /]
[br /]

• Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.[br /]
[br /]

• The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits but not when it misses.[br /]
[br /]

• A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth of philosophy bringeth a man's mind about to religion.[br /]
[br /]

• Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god.[br /]
[br /]

• There is no great concurrence between learning and wisdom.[br /]
[br /]

• There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.[br /]
[br /]

• Fortune is like the market, where, many times, if you can stay a little, the price will fall.[br /]
[br /]

• A man who studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.[br /]
[br /]

• A prudent question is one-half wisdom.[br /]
[br /]

• Nuptial love maketh mankind, friendly love perfecteth it; but wanton love corrupteth and embaseth it.[br /]
[br /]

• Libraries are the shrines where all the relics of the ancient saints, full of true virtue, and that without delusion or imposture, are preserved and reposed.[br /]
[br /]

• History makes men wise; poets, witty; the mathematics, subtle; natural philosophy, deep; moral, grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend.[br /]
[br /]

• It is impossible to love and to be wise.[br /]
[br /]

• To read without reflecting, is like eating without digesting.[br /]
[br /]

• We take cunning for a sinister and crooked wisdom, and certainly there is a great difference between a cunning man and a wise man, not only in point of honesty but in point of ability.[br /]
[br /]

• All rising to a great place is by a winding stair.[br /]
[br /]

• There are three parts in truth: first, the inquiry, which is the wooing of it; secondly, the knowledge of it, which is the presence of it; and thirdly, the belief, which is the enjoyment of it.[br /]
[br /]

• Testimony is like an arrow shot from a long bow; the force of it depends on the strength of the hand that draws it. Argument is like an arrow from a cross-bow, which has equal force though shot by a child.[br /]
[br /]

• Philosophy, when superficially studied, excites doubt; when thoroughly explored, it dispels it.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]

Comments - Francis Bacon