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Francis Bacon

74 quotes

Francis Bacon (1561–1626) was an English philosopher, statesman, and essayist who is widely regarded as the father of the scientific method. His *Essays*, covering topics from truth and death to gardens and studies, are masterpieces of concise, penetrating English prose that have been quoted continuously for over four centuries.

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

— Francis Bacon

Men

All Quotes by Francis Bacon

“It is a strange desire, to seek power, and to lose liberty or to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man's self.”

— Francis Bacon

Power

“Life, an age to the miserable, and a moment to the happy.”

— Francis Bacon

Age

“By indignities men come to dignities.”

— Francis Bacon

Men

“Small amounts of philosophy lead to atheism, but larger amounts bring us back to God.”

— Francis Bacon

God

“Antiquities are history defaced, or some remnants of history which have casually escaped the shipwreck of time.”

— Francis Bacon

History

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

— Francis Bacon

Change

“Knowledge is power.”

— Francis Bacon

Knowledge

“Friends are thieves of time.”

— Francis Bacon

Time

“Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority.”

— Francis Bacon

Time

“What is truth? said jesting Pilate and would not stay for an answer.”

— Francis Bacon

Truth

“It is impossible to love and to be wise.”

— Francis Bacon

Love

“Knowledge and human power are synonymous.”

— Francis Bacon

Knowledge

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

— Francis Bacon

Men

“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.”

— Francis Bacon

Death

“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.”

— Francis Bacon

Wisdom

“A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.”

— Francis Bacon

Anger

“There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.”

— Francis Bacon

Beauty

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

— Francis Bacon

Age

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

— Francis Bacon

Men

“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

Good