On Council he says, 'the greatest trust between man and man is the trust of giving council'. Of Envy he speaks of envy being 'an affection to both facinate and bewitch' he goes on to speak of it 'coming easily to the eye especially upon the presence of the object'. On Atheism he speaks about 'this universal frame' possessing a In 'Essays', Francis Bacon focuses on a range of topics of a philosophical nature encompassing Truth, Death, Religion, Atheism, Travel, the Supernatural, Council, Envy, etc.
On Atheism he speaks about 'this universal frame' possessing a mind. The text is logical and pragmatic in nature. Feb 13, Greg rated it it was amazing Shelves: Bacon is amongst the most quotable writers of all time, much like Cicero. While the time and place of many of the essays has long past, the wisdom that can be extracted by statements included in them is timeless.
My favorites are the following: If thou have colleagues, respect them, and rather call them when they look not for it, than exclude them when they have reason to look to be called. Be not too sensible or too remembering of thy place in conversation and private answers to suitors; but let it rather be said, When he sits in place, he is another man. And therefore God never wrought miracle to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it.
We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake. Jul 24, Lisa Harmonybites rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Recommended to Lisa Harmonybites by: I'd been meaning to tackle Bacon's Essays for years; they're listed among the " Significant Books" in Good Reading; this edition has been in my household since before I was born, the better to mark up and highlight, since it's hardly pristine. Bacon's essays didn't impress at first. For one, so many of the best lines in the early essays are quotes from classical sources almost all in Latin, so it's a good thing my edition provided translations within brackets.
But also reading the short pro I'd been meaning to tackle Bacon's Essays for years; they're listed among the " Significant Books" in Good Reading; this edition has been in my household since before I was born, the better to mark up and highlight, since it's hardly pristine. But also reading the short provided biography provided lots of reasons for cynicism. Bacon was stripped of high office for bribery, and never had any children, and knowing that made me look upon such essays as "On Truth," "Of Great Place" where he speaks of avoiding even the suspicion of bribery and "Of Parents and Children" with a jaundiced eye.
That last essay and his take on "Of Marriage and Single Life" and "Of Love" made me feel Bacon's was a cold heart, that only went pitter patter with ambition. His essay "Of Friendship," one of my favorites in the collection ameliorated that impression a great deal.
Francis Bacon | Francis Bacon's Essays
At the same time, his life story just underlined that here was a shrewd politician, and that lends all the more interest to essays on power and statesmanship such as "Of Seditions and Troubles," "Of Empire," "Of Counsel" and "On Cunning. Princes have need, in tender matters and ticklish times, to beware what they say; especially in these short speeches, which fly abroad like darts, and are thought to be hot out of their secret intentions - Of Seditions and Troubles For their merchants; they are the gate-vein [that distributes nourishment to the body] and if they flourish not, a kingdom may have good limbs, but will have empty veins, and nourish little.
Taxes and imposts upon them do seldom good to the king's revenue; for that that he wins in the hundred he loses in the shire; the particular rates being increased, but the total bulk of trading rather decreased. 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. The essays influence on literature, thinking and common phrases is prodigious, making this a must-read.
Just make sure you get an edition like mine that translates the Latin phrases and provides some definition of period words in handy footnotes and you're all set. One that regularizes the capitalizations and spellings are a help as well for enjoyment and comprehension. They're short--ranging from only a few hundred to a few thousand words--mostly on that short end of that spectrum, and despite the period language I found them, if not easy, then not difficult reads.
I certainly found Bacon far more lively and accessible reading than such descendents as Thoreau and Emerson. Nov 02, Bob Nichols rated it did not like it. The prose, the style, is thick. Homilies are followed frequently by Latin, and seemingly rhythmic, phrases, as if listening to the Pope, and as if it is meant to impress, e. Most especially because it was an edition from the early 20th century which kept the language of Bacon's time intact. This made it a challenging read. Verb tenses like "maketh" or "thinketh" Also, the Latin quotes were in Latin, and were not translated within the text, or even at the bottom of the page on which they appear, but in an appendix at the back of the book.
So, in order to know what was said with these quotes since I never learned Latin, and only have a very rudimentary vocabulary of it in my head , I had to flip back and forth every time one appeared. That being said, there was a lot of material here that was worth the read. Even the "throw away" essay on gardens which I was not sure why it was here, with all the other intense subjects. By far my favorite essay of his is on friendship, whereby he explains friendship is not just something which serves as support, but for alchemical transmutation of one's suffering and narrowness of sight. Regardless of whether one believes in the Rosicrucian and Shakespearean atmosphere in Bacon's writings and legacy- in particular in his, "New Atlantis"- it has to be acknowledged that he gave Renaissance to scientific induction while asserting the philosophical and ethical necessity of also hav By far my favorite essay of his is on friendship, whereby he explains friendship is not just something which serves as support, but for alchemical transmutation of one's suffering and narrowness of sight.
Regardless of whether one believes in the Rosicrucian and Shakespearean atmosphere in Bacon's writings and legacy- in particular in his, "New Atlantis"- it has to be acknowledged that he gave Renaissance to scientific induction while asserting the philosophical and ethical necessity of also having one's connection to the Sacred. Apr 24, Vijai marked it as to-read Shelves: I admit defeat and I do so with a pinch of pain and regret. So much wisdom in those pages and yet not appealing in taste enough for me to finish it.
The prose is way too complex and hard for a noob I can sense the purists twitching at that word like me to understand. Not worth the effort.
The Essays, by Francis Bacon
Maybe an edition with superb annotation and notes would do the trick but until then I rest this book in the darkest corner of my book shelf with as much reverence and respect I can offer it until that day whe I admit defeat and I do so with a pinch of pain and regret. Maybe an edition with superb annotation and notes would do the trick but until then I rest this book in the darkest corner of my book shelf with as much reverence and respect I can offer it until that day when my patience would allow me the inspiration to absorb what Bacon has to say.
Jan 13, Purvi Petal rated it really liked it Shelves: Excellent writing, as per the requirement of the times, yet to date, I am deeply impression-ed by some of his words and works, esp gems like 'Of Travel'. Read them during my college years. One must read them, these essays, if for nothing else, then for the pleasure of the language and wisdom of a bygone era. Mar 03, Rob Roy rated it really liked it Shelves: Conventional wisdom says that if it was written more than years ago, it really cannot tell us much. There is much wisdom and life lessons contained in these 58 essays.
Add to that, they are fairly short and to the point. My favorite thing about this edition is that the end of each effay becomes centered, curving inward to end in a perky little symbol, forming a hanging boob. The cutest is the end of "Of Death," with its puffy areola of italicized Latin. Oct 01, Sara rated it it was ok. I appreciate his skillful manipulation of words, but it wasn't "fun" reading. Some essays are very insightful. However, his discourse on the make up of gardens was a bit much for me. Feb 04, James rated it really liked it Shelves: Classic essays on a variety of subjects.
They are worth reading and rereading. See "Of Studies" for good counsel on reading. Apr 14, Zorica Zoric rated it really liked it.
May 29, Jeff rated it liked it. Of Death -Death hath this also; that it openeth the gate to good fame, and extinguisheth envy. Of Atheism -And therefore, God never wrought miracle, to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it. It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy inclineth man's minds about to religion. For while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the cha Favorite parts: For while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them, confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity.
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Another is, scandal of priests. A third is, custom of profane scoffing in holy matters; which doth, by little and little, deface the reverence of religion. And lastly, learned times, specially with peace and prosperity; for troubles and adversities do more bow men's minds to religion.
Of Travel -It is a strange thing, that in sea voyages, where there is nothing to be seen, but sky and sea, men should make diaries; but in land-travel, wherein so much is to be observed, for the most part they omit it; as if chance were fitter to be registered, than observation. Let diaries, therefore, be brought in use. The things to be seen and observed are: Of Empire -And certain it is, that nothing destroyeth authority so much, as the unequal and untimely interchange of power pressed too far, and relaxed too much.
Of Discourse -He that questioneth much, shall learn much, and content much; but especially, if he apply his questions to the skill of the persons whom he asketh; for he shall give them occasion, to please themselves in speaking, and himself shall continually gather knowledge. But let his questions not be troublesome; for that is fit for a poser. Of Judicature -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. Else while it be like the authority, claimed by the Church of Rome which under pretext of exposition of Scripture, doth not stick to add and alter; and to pronounce that which they do not find; and by show of antiquity, to introduce novelty.
Judges ought to be more learned, than witty, more reverend, than plausible, and more advised, than confident. Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue. The principal duty of a judge, is to suppress force and fraud; whereof force is the more pernicious, when it is open, and fraud, when it is close and disguised.
Patience and gravity of hearing, is an essential part of justice; and and overspeaking judge is no well-tuned cymbal. It is no grace to a judge, first to find that, which he might have heard in due time from the bar; or to show quickness of conceit, in cutting off evidence or counsel too short; or to prevent information by questions, through pertinent. The parts of a judge in hearing are four: Of Anger -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. Anger must be limited and confined, both in race and in time.
Of Vicissitude of Things -Salomon saith, there is no new thing upon the earth. So that Plato had an imagination, That all knowledge was but remembrance; so Solomon giveth his sentence, That all novelty is but oblivion. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. There is a certain comfort and beauty to nature that makes it irresistible to the intellect.
Yet at paradoxically, lies hold a similar attraction. Perhaps it is that the pursuit of truth may get too difficult and laborious and unsatisfying that a lie must serve as an alternate substitute a hypothesis. Or perhaps the knowledge of the truth itself is too hard to accept that a lie must be invented in its stead. And most of all, it must be true that the embellishment of the truth, the ab Of Truth: And most of all, it must be true that the embellishment of the truth, the ability to humor lies and half-truths is what makes life interesting and fun and enjoyable.
There should be truth to oneself. There is nothing more shameful than being caught in a lie.
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He that dies in an earnest pursuit, is like one that is wounded in hot blood; who, for the time, scarce feels the hurt; and therefore a mind fixed, and bent upon somewhat that is good, doth avert the dolors of death. Yet in reality it is a silly thing. Many think it must be painful, yet perhaps it may be a gradual fading away, or simply an abrupt end.
Bacon argues that the expiring of the vital organs of the body is almost painless because there is much less nerves and sense in those parts than say in the little finger of the hand. It is the thought of death and the fear of it that brings the most pain to people. The best way to do die is to go out in action, in the thick of conquering some great goal. The desire for vengeance is a base and basic human experience. But it is a consuming, cannibalizing desire that hurts both the afflicted and the afflictor. Past suffering cannot be changed. Revenge merely compounds more suffering upon the universe.
It is the man of control and power, the master of himself and therefore of others, that can suppress this desire. Always be quick to forgive and make up. Certainly, retribution is required in cases to teach a lesson and prevent future infractions, but as soon as the lesson is learned, no unnecessary suffering need be pressed upon the other. Accept life for what it is. Embrace it in all its glory and all its horror.
There will be great moments of happiness, and there will be moments of pain. But anger is a worthless emotion except in the most direst of situations.
The Essays
Accept the pain as you accept the happiness. It is a weakness of man that we enjoy prosperity too much and adversity too little. Embrace life in all its horror and all its glory. Accept the pain and disappointment as well as the joys and successes. There must be strife and struggle before growth and improvement. The road to perfection must have its trials. There is a natural, unequal sharing of love amongst one's offspring that one should seek to correct for. It is common to all of the animal kingdom to seek to perpetuate genes and inheritance.
But it is unique to mankind to pursue lasting legacies on this Earth: And it is those with no children, who carry the mantle to contribute in such ways to humanity. So the care of posterity is most in them, that have no posterity. In order to achieve great things, many times it requires nothing less than one's absolute devotion to greatness, not a side ho family. 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.
Envy is one of the most harmful affections of human nature for it is a festering potential for malice and ill will. You can tell when someone is envious because they cannot stop talking shit. It is a desire for everything that one is not. However, one has to realize that to be great at any one thing, one must be deficient in another. There is an opportunity cost. We are only envious, however, when we compare ourselves to others.
But therein lies the fallacy. Men are apples and oranges; perhaps created equal, but differentiated by circumstance, experience, nurture, habit. There is no comparison between men. Only evaluation on a case by case, singularly individual basis. The best way to deflect envy is humbleness. It is the elevation of those around you to shine in their own light. Lead them to their own greatness. Help them discover it.
For they cannot want work; it being impossible, but many, in some one of those things, should surpass them. The rise to power is laborious, and all consuming of time, energy, other resources.
Places of Perswasion and Disswasion. Seene and Allowed was the first published book by the philosopher, statesman and jurist Francis Bacon. The Essays are written in a wide range of styles, from the plain and unadorned to the epigrammatic. They cover topics drawn from both public and private life, and in each case the essays cover their topics systematically from a number of different angles, weighing one argument against another. A much-enlarged second edition appeared in with 38 essays. Another, under the title Essayes or Counsels, Civill and Morall , was published in with 58 essays.
Translations into French and Italian appeared during Bacon's lifetime.
Though Bacon considered the Essays "but as recreation of my other studies", he was given high praise by his contemporaries, even to the point of crediting him with having invented the essay form. Bacon's genius as a phrase-maker appears to great advantage in the later essays. In Of Boldness he wrote, "If the Hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet will go to the hill", which is the earliest known appearance of that proverb in print.
The contents pages of Thomas Markby's edition list the essays and their dates of publication as follows: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Oxford Companion to English Literature. Oxford Reference Online Subscription service.