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.
Francis BaconA 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.
Francis BaconPhilosophy when superficially studied, excites doubt, when thoroughly explored, it dispels it.
Francis BaconPeople usually think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and ingrained opinions, but generally act according to custom.
Francis BaconHe that plots to be the only figure among ciphers [zeros], is the decay of the whole age.
Francis BaconHe that will not apply new remedies, must expect new evils: for Time is the greatest innovator: and if Time, of course, alter things to the worse, and wisdom and counsel shall not alter them to the better, what shall be the end?.
Francis BaconThere 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.
Francis BaconBut men must know, that in this theatre of man's life it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers on.
Francis BaconLastly, 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.
Francis BaconThe 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.
Francis BaconAgain 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.
Francis BaconAll the crimes on earth do not destroy so many of the human race nor alienate so much property as drunkenness.
Francis BaconCertainly, it is heaven upon earth, to have a man's mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.
Francis BaconThere 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."
Francis BaconFor it is most true that a natural and secret hatred and aversation towards society in any man, hath somewhat of the savage beast.
Francis BaconWe 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.
Francis BaconThe 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.
Francis BaconSome 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.
Francis BaconSome paint comes across directly onto the nervous system and other paint tells you the story in a long diatribe through the brain.
Francis BaconHope is the most beneficial of all the affections, and doth much to the prolongation of life.
Francis BaconThe genius of any single man can no more equal learning, than a private purse hold way with the exchequer.
Francis BaconProsperity is not without many fears and distastes; adversity not without many comforts and hopes.
Francis BaconThere 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.
Francis BaconThe mystery lies in the irrationality by which you make appearance - if it is not irrational, you make illustration.
Francis BaconJudges 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.
Francis BaconAnother error is an impatience of doubt and haste to assertion without due and mature suspension of judgment. For the two ways of contemplation are not unlike the two ways of action commonly spoken of by the ancients; the one plain and smooth in the beginning, and in the end impassable; the other rough and troublesome in the entrance, but after a while fair and even. So it is in contemplation; 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.
Francis BaconFor friends... do but look upon good Books: they are true friends, that will neither flatter nor dissemble.
Francis BaconThe colors that show best by candlelight are white, carnation, and a kind of sea-water green.
Francis BaconThe 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.
Francis BaconWhen a traveler returneth home, let him not leave the countries where he hath traveled altogether behind him.
Francis BaconIt is a strange desire, to seek power, and to lose liberty; or to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man's self.
Francis BaconSalomon 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.
Francis BaconUpon 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.
Francis Bacon