Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban PC KCwas an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist, orator, and author. He served both as Attorney General and as Lord Chancellor of England. After his death, he remained extremely influential through his works, especially as philosophical advocate and practitioner of the scientific method during the scientific revolution...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth21 January 1561
inspirational motivational integrity
It's not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.
philosophy men order
Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation, all which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, though religion were not; but superstition dismounts all these, and erects an absolute monarchy in the minds of men-the master of superstition is the people; and arguments are fitted to practice, in a reverse order.
change secret states
It is a secret both in nature and state, that it is safer to change many things than one.
reflection virtue praise
Praise is the reflection of virtue.
humanity divinity poor
Our humanity is a poor thing, except for the divinity that stirs within us.
love friendly mankind
Nuptial love makes mankind; friendly love perfects it; but wanton love corrupts and debases it.
fashion philosophy believe
But the idols of the Market Place are the most troublesome of all: idols which have crept into the understanding through their alliances with words and names. For men believe that their reason governs words. But words turn and twist the understanding. This it is that has rendered philosophy and the sciences inactive. Words are mostly cut to the common fashion and draw the distinctions which are most obvious to the common understanding. Whenever an understanding of greater acuteness or more diligent observation would alter those lines to suit the true distinctions of nature, words complain.
knowledge men curiosity
Some 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.
philosophical writing men
We are much beholden to Machiavel and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do.
mean men confusion
It is by discourse that men associate; and words are imposed according to the apprehension of the vulgar. And therefore the ill and unfit choice of words wonderfully obsesses the understanding. Nor do the definitions or explanations, wherewith in some things learned men are wont to guard and defend themselves, by any means set the matter right. But words plainly force and overrule the understanding, and throw all into confusion, and lead men away into innumerable and inane controversies and fancies.
real conceited use
Of great wealth there is no real use, except in its distribution, the rest is just conceit.
riches spending
Riches are for spending.
death dying natural
It is natural to die as to be born.
spiritual journey maturity
Journeys at youth are part of the education; but at maturity, are part of the experience.