Francis Bacon

England
22 Jan 1561 // 9 Apr 1626
Philosopher / Statesman / Essayist

Quotes

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Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set
They that deny a God destroy man's nobility; for certainly man is of kin to the beasts by his body; and, if he be not of kin to God by his spirit, his is a base and ignoble creature
Certainly virtue is like precious odours, most fragrant when they are incensed or crushed
For it is most true that a natural and secret hatred and aversation towards society in any man, hath somewhat of the savage beast
A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion
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
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
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
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