Francis Bacon
English philosopher, statesman and essayist, 1561-1626
60 quotes.
Quotes by 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.
- Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
- Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.
- Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.
- That which is past is gone and irrevocable, and wise men have enough to do with things present and to come; therefore they do but trifle with themselves that labour in past matters.
- The good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.
- The great end of life is not knowledge but action.
- The less you speak of your greatness, the more I shall think of it.
- The virtue of prosperity is temperance, but the virtue of adversity is fortitude; and the last is the more sublime attainment.
- There is no greater wisdom than well to time the beginnings and onset of things.
- There is no man, that imparteth his joys to his friend, but he joyeth the more; and no man that imparteth his griefs to his friend, but he grieveth the less.
- There is nothing that makes a man suspect much, more than to know little; and, therefore, men should remedy suspicion by procuring to know more, and not to keep their suspicions to smother.
- They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
- This communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects, for it redoubleth joys and cutteth griefs in halves.
- To choose time is to save time.
- To try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders.
- Virtue is like precious odours, — most fragrant when they are incensed or crushed.
- We rise to great heights by a winding staircase of small steps.
- Who questioneth much, shall learn much, and content much.
- Whoever is out of patience is out of possession of his soul.