Philosopher · English · 1561 – 1626 · 133 quotes
A bachelor's life is a fine breakfast, a flat lunch, and a miserable dinner.
Francis Bacon
Philosopher · English · 1561 – 1626
There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that which is lost by not trying.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects and please or displease only in the memory.
Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority.
Studies perfect nature and are perfected still by experience.
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
It is as natural to die as to be born; and to a little infant, perhaps, the one is as painful as the other.
People have discovered that they can fool the devil; but they can't fool the neighbors.
Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New.
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.
If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.
Judges must beware of hard constructions and strained inferences, for there is no worse torture than that of laws.
Friendship increases in visiting friends, but in visiting them seldom.
What is truth? said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer.
Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men's nurses.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words.
There is nothing makes a man suspect much, more than to know little.
Next to religion, let your care be to promote justice.
Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god.
Young people are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and more fit for new projects than for settled business.
A man must make his opportunity, as oft as find it.
It is as hard and severe a thing to be a true politician as to be truly moral.
Discretion of speech is more than eloquence, and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words, or in good order.
Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome, seldom extinguished.
The fortune which nobody sees makes a person happy and unenvied.
Children sweeten labours, but they make misfortunes more bitter.
People usually think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and ingrained opinions, but generally act according to custom.
Money is like manure, of very little use except it be spread.
The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.
Studies serve for delight, for ornaments, and for ability.
Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion.
Good fame is like fire; when you have kindled you may easily preserve it; but if you extinguish it, you will not easily kindle it again.
Lies are sufficient to breed opinion, and opinion brings on substance.
Beauty itself is but the sensible image of the Infinite.
A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.
God hangs the greatest weights upon the smallest wires.
Knowledge and human power are synonymous.
Riches are a good hand maiden, but a poor mistress.
Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.
Of all virtues and dignities of the mind, goodness is the greatest, being the character of the Deity; and without it, man is a busy, mischievous, wretched thing.
Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.
We cannot command Nature except by obeying her.
If we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us.
They that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils.
If a man's wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics.
Judges ought to be more leaned than witty, more reverent than plausible, and more advised than confident. Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue.
Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.
The worst men often give the best advice.
