Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable. - Sir Francis Bacon
Seek ye first the good things of the mind, and the rest will either be supplied or its loss will not be felt. - Sir Francis Bacon
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. - Sir Francis Bacon
The subtlety of nature is greater many times over than the subtlety of the senses and understanding. - Sir Francis Bacon
A sudden bold and unexpected question doth many times surprise a man and lay him open. - Sir Francis Bacon
Read not to contradict and confute, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider. - Sir Francis Bacon
A little philosophy inclineth men's minds toward atheism, but depth of philosophy bringeth men's minds about again to religion. - Sir Francis Bacon
Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased by tales, so is the other. - Sir Francis Bacon
Dolendi modus, timendi non item. (To suffering there is a limit; to fearing, none.) - Sir Francis Bacon
Praise from the common people is generally false, and rather follows the vain than the virtuous. - Sir Francis Bacon
Books must follow sciences, and not sciences books. - Sir Francis Bacon
Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more man's nature runs to the more ought law to weed it out. - Sir Francis Bacon
Certainly virtue is like precious odours, most fragrant when they are incensed or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice; but adversity doth best discover virtue. - Sir Francis Bacon
Discretion in speech is more than eloquence. - Sir Francis Bacon
He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator. - Sir Francis Bacon
By far the best proof is experience. - Sir Francis Bacon
In charity there is no excess. - Sir Francis Bacon
Nature is a labyrinth in which the very haste you move with will make you lose your way. - Sir Francis Bacon
Money is like muck, not good except it be spread. - Sir Francis Bacon
Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god. - Sir Francis Bacon
Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study. - Sir Francis Bacon
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea. - Sir Francis Bacon
Man seeketh in society comfort, use and protection. - Sir Francis Bacon
In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior. - Sir Francis Bacon
A prudent question is one half of wisdom. - Sir Francis Bacon
God has placed no limits to the exercise of the intellect he has given us, on this side of the grave. - Sir Francis Bacon
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. - Sir Francis Bacon
In this theater of man's life, it is reserved only for God and for angels to be lookers-on. - Sir Francis Bacon
There is a difference between happiness and wisdom: he that thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool. - Sir Francis Bacon
There is no great concurrence between learning and wisdom - Sir Francis Bacon
Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue. - Sir Francis Bacon
The worst solitude is to be destitute of sincere friendship. - Sir Francis Bacon
Read not to contradict and confute, not to believe and take for granted, not to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider. - Sir Francis Bacon
A little philosophy inclineth men's minds toward atheism; but depth of philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion. - Sir Francis Bacon
Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home. - Sir Francis Bacon
There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. - Sir Francis Bacon
The job of the artist is to deepen the mystery. - Sir Francis Bacon
Silence is the virtue of fools. - Sir Francis Bacon
I have taken all knowledge to be my province. - Sir Francis Bacon
Ask counsel of both times-of the ancient time what is best, and of the latter time what is fittest. - Sir Francis Bacon
Houses are built to live in, not to look on; therefore, let use be preferred before uniformity, except where both may be had. - Sir Francis Bacon
Whoever is out of patience is out of possession of his soul. Men must not turn into bees, and kill themselves in stinging others. - Sir Francis Bacon
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. - Sir Francis Bacon
For there is no question but a just fear of an imminent danger, though there be no blow given, is a lawful cause of war. - Sir Francis Bacon
There be three things which make a nation great and prosperous: a fertile soil, busy workshops, easy conveyance for men and goods from place to place. - Sir Francis Bacon
He of whom many are afraid ought to fear many. - Sir Francis Bacon