Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

80 Insightful Quotes By Francis Bacon, Father Of Empiricism

Famous As: Philosopher, Statesman and Lord High Chancellor of England
Born On: January 22, 1561
Died On: April 9, 1626
Born In: The Strand, London, England
Died At Age: 65
Francis Bacon was an English author, philosopher, statesman, public speaker, science pioneer and a jurist who lived between 1561 and 1626. He was one of the most influential Englishmen to have ever lived. Bacon was born in a distinguished family and after being home schooled, he attended the University of Cambridge, where he dazzled everyone including Queen Elizabeth I with his intellect. As a statesman, Bacon was without doubt one of the most influential men in the English establishment and held the positions of Attorney General as well as that of Lord Chancellor of England. On the other hand, he was also a superb orator and a philosopher who reveled in natural philosophy and philosophical logic. Bacon was a multi-faceted talent and is credited for establishing the method of empirical studies in the field of science. He propounded the two pronged approach which consisted of being skeptical and methodical. Bacon’s contributions in different fields earned him a Knighthood from King James I and he is still regarded as one of the giants in the history of Great Britain. The below collection of Francis Bacon’s most famous quotes have been excerpted from his famous writings, papers, speeches and thoughts. We bring to you a collection of sayings and quotes by Francis Bacon on wisdom, advice, opportunity, perseverance, humor, inspiration, materialism, friendship, wine, vision, superstition, observation, God, environment and understanding.
Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.

Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.

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.

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 Bacon
Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.

Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.

Francis Bacon
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.

Francis Bacon
Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.

Francis Bacon
Wonder is the seed of knowledge

Wonder is the seed of knowledge

Francis Bacon
Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.

Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.

Francis Bacon
Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand--and melting like a snowflake...

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand--and melting like a snowflake...

Francis Bacon
It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else, and still unknown to himself.

It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else, and still unknown to himself.

Francis Bacon
Reading maketh a full man; and writing an axact man. And, therefore, if a man write little, he need have a present wit; and if he read little, he need have much cunning to seem to know which he doth not.

Reading maketh a full man; and writing an axact man. And, therefore, if a man write little, he need have a present wit; and if he read little, he need have much cunning to seem to know which he doth not.

Francis Bacon
Money is a great servant but a bad master.

Money is a great servant but a bad master.

Francis Bacon
The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.

The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.

Francis Bacon
In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.

Francis Bacon
Age appears best in four things: old wood to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust and old authors to read.

Age appears best in four things: old wood to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust and old authors to read.

Francis Bacon
Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted ...but to weigh and consider.

Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted ...but to weigh and consider.

Francis Bacon
In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.

In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.

Francis Bacon
Ipsa scientia potestas est.

Knowledge itself is power.

Ipsa scientia potestas est. Knowledge itself is power.

Francis Bacon
It is impossible to love and be wise.

It is impossible to love and be wise.

Francis Bacon
The general root of superstition : namely, that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss; and commit to memory the one, and forget and pass over the other.

The general root of superstition : namely, that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss; and commit to memory the one, and forget and pass over the other.

Francis Bacon
If we are to achieve things never before accomplished we must employ methods never before attempted

If we are to achieve things never before accomplished we must employ methods never before attempted

Francis Bacon
Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends

Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends

Francis Bacon
The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it.

The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it.

Francis Bacon
Philosophy when superficially studied, excites doubt, when thoroughly explored, it dispels it.

Philosophy when superficially studied, excites doubt, when thoroughly explored, it dispels it.

Francis Bacon
God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation.

God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation.

Francis Bacon
There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that which is lost by not trying.

There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that which is lost by not trying.

Francis Bacon
Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.

Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.

Francis Bacon
The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses.

The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses.

Francis Bacon
The serpent if it wants to become the dragon must eat itself.

The serpent if it wants to become the dragon must eat itself.

Francis Bacon
Truth is so hard to tell, it sometimes needs fiction to make it plausible.

Truth is so hard to tell, it sometimes needs fiction to make it plausible.

Francis Bacon
The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power.

The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power.

Francis Bacon
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea.

They are ill discoverers that think there is no land when they can see nothing but sea.

Francis Bacon
The worst solitute is to be destitute of true friendship.

The worst solitute is to be destitute of true friendship.

Francis Bacon
Great boldness is seldom without some absurdity.

Great boldness is seldom without some absurdity.

Francis Bacon
The only really interesting thing is
what happens between two people in a room.

The only really interesting thing is what happens between two people in a room.

Francis Bacon
Money is like manure, its only good if you spread it around.

Money is like manure, its only good if you spread it around.

Francis Bacon
Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.

Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.

Francis Bacon
The remedy is worse than the disease.

The remedy is worse than the disease.

Francis Bacon
Silence is the virtue of fools.

Silence is the virtue of fools.

Francis Bacon
He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.

He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.

Francis Bacon
By far the best proof is experience.

By far the best proof is experience.

Francis Bacon
He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.

Francis Bacon
A man that is young in years may be old in hours if he have lost no time.

A man that is young in years may be old in hours if he have lost no time.

Francis Bacon
For a crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love.

For a crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love.

Francis Bacon
Nature cannot be commanded except by being obeyed.

Nature cannot be commanded except by being obeyed.

Francis Bacon
A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.

A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.

Francis Bacon
Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority.

Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority.

Francis Bacon
Salomon 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.

Salomon 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 Bacon
The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.

The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.

Francis Bacon
Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome, seldom extinguished.

Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome, seldom extinguished.

Francis Bacon
I will never be an old man. To me old age is always 15 years older than I am.

I will never be an old man. To me old age is always 15 years older than I am.

Francis Bacon
For friends... do but look upon good Books: they are true friends, that will neither flatter nor dissemble.

For friends... do but look upon good Books: they are true friends, that will neither flatter nor dissemble.

Francis Bacon
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.

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 Bacon
If a man is gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows that he is a citizen of the world.

If a man is gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows that he is a citizen of the world.

Francis Bacon
Knowledge is power.

Knowledge is power.

Francis Bacon
There Are But Two Tragedies in Life-One is One's Inability to attain One's Heart's Desire-The Other Is To Have It!

There Are But Two Tragedies in Life-One is One's Inability to attain One's Heart's Desire-The Other Is To Have It!

Francis Bacon
Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.

Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.

Francis Bacon
A Man must make his opportunity,as oft as find it

A Man must make his opportunity,as oft as find it

Francis Bacon
Histories make men wise; poets, witty; the mathematics, subtle; natural philosophy, deep; moral, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend.

Histories make men wise; poets, witty; the mathematics, subtle; natural philosophy, deep; moral, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend.

Francis Bacon
Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study.

Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study.

Francis Bacon
Books speak plain when counselors blanch.

Books speak plain when counselors blanch.

Francis Bacon
For no man can forbid the spark nor tell whence it may come.

For no man can forbid the spark nor tell whence it may come.

Francis Bacon
The surest way to prevent seditions...is to take away the matter of them.

The surest way to prevent seditions...is to take away the matter of them.

Francis Bacon
Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.

Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.

Francis Bacon
People of age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon and seldom drive business home to it's conclusion, but content themselves with a mediocrity of success.

People of age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon and seldom drive business home to it's conclusion, but content themselves with a mediocrity of success.

Francis Bacon
We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake...

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake...

Francis Bacon
The human understanding when it has once adopted an opinion (either as being the received opinion or as being agreeable to itself) draws all things else to support and agree with it.

The human understanding when it has once adopted an opinion (either as being the received opinion or as being agreeable to itself) draws all things else to support and agree with it.

Francis Bacon
Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home.

Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home.

Francis Bacon
A false friend is more dangerous than an open enemy

A false friend is more dangerous than an open enemy

Francis Bacon
To suffering there is a limit; to fearing, none.

To suffering there is a limit; to fearing, none.

Francis Bacon
Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience. He that travelleth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel.

Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience. He that travelleth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel.

Francis Bacon
Truth is a naked and open daylight, that does not show the masques, and mummeries, and triumphs of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights. . . A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure

Truth is a naked and open daylight, that does not show the masques, and mummeries, and triumphs of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights. . . A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure

Francis Bacon
Revenge is a king of wild justice.

Revenge is a king of wild justice.

Francis Bacon
If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that may be said to possess him.

If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that may be said to possess him.

Francis Bacon
Constancy is the foundation of virtues

Constancy is the foundation of virtues

Francis Bacon
Seek ye first the good things of the mind, and the rest shall be provided or its loss shall not be felt.

Seek ye first the good things of the mind, and the rest shall be provided or its loss shall not be felt.

Francis Bacon
To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar

To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar

Francis Bacon
A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion

A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion

Francis Bacon
He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.

He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.

Francis Bacon
To say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards men.

To say that a man lieth, is as much to say, as that he is brave towards God, and a coward towards men.

Francis Bacon
The virtue of prosperity is temperance, the virtue of adversity is fortitude.

The virtue of prosperity is temperance, the virtue of adversity is fortitude.

Francis Bacon