Quotes By Francis Bacon

Knowledge and human power are synonymous.

If we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us.

Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they be not altered for the better designedly.

The great end of life is not knowledge but action.

A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.

Studies perfect nature and are perfected still by experience.

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

This is certain, that a man that studieth revenge keeps his wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.

Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise.

The pencil of the Holy Ghost hath labored more in describing the afflictions of Job than the felicities of Solomon.

It is impossible to love and to be wise.

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

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.

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

Houses are built to live in, and not to look on: therefore let use be preferred before uniformity.

Judges must beware of hard constructions and strained inferences, for there is no worse torture than that of laws.

A bachelor's life is a fine breakfast, a flat lunch, and a miserable dinner.

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.

God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.

A man must make his opportunity, as oft as find it.

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

When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never forgive the loss of their prerogative.

Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.

The joys of parents are secret, and so are their grieves and fears.

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

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

The fortune which nobody sees makes a person happy and unenvied.

Therefore if a man look sharply and attentively, he shall see Fortune; for though she be blind, yet she is not invisible.

By indignities men come to dignities.

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