Francis Bacon
England
22 Jan 1561 // 9 Apr 1626
Philosopher / Statesman / Essayist
22 Jan 1561 // 9 Apr 1626
Philosopher / Statesman / Essayist
Quotes
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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 or man come in danger by it
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested
Men of age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business home to the full period, but content themselves with a mediocrity of success
Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor
Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read
Knowledge and human power are synonymous, since the ignorance of the cause frustrates the effect
But the images of men's wits and knowledges remain in books, exempted from the wrong of time, and capable of perpetual renovation
For all knowledge and wonder (which is the seed of knowledge) is an impression of pleasure in itself
Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the wise, the admiration of fools, the idols of paradise, and the slaves of their own vaunts
Truth comes out of error more readily than out of confusion
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays
Essays