Sir 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.
There be three things which make a nation great and prosperous: a fertile soil, busy workshops, easy conveyance for men and goods from place to place.
It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.
It is as natural to die as to be born; and to a little infant perhaps the one is as painful as the other.
A good life is a series of joyful meetings and joyful moments.
There is a difference between happiness and wisdom: he that thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool.
For there is no question but a just fear of an imminent danger, though there be no blow given, is a lawful cause of war.
A little philosophy inclineth men's minds toward atheism; but depth of philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion.
Certainly virtue is like precious odours, most fragrant when they are incensed or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice; but adversity doth best discover virtue.
Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.
He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.
A sudden bold and unexpected question doth many times surprise a man and lay him open.
There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.
The subtlety of nature is greater many times over than the subtlety of the senses and understanding.
Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god.
Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Children sweeten labours, but they make misfortunes more bitter.
Dolendi modus, timendi non item.(To suffering there is a limit; to fearing, none.)
In charity there is no excess.
A prudent question is one half of wisdom.
Praise from the common people is generally false, and rather follows the vain than the virtuous.
Silence is the virtue of fools.
Houses are built to live in, not to look on; therefore, let use be preferred before uniformity, except where both may be had.
The job of the artist is to deepen the mystery.
Man seeketh in society comfort, use and protection.
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
Discretion in speech is more than eloquence.
Knowledge is power.
The worst solitude is to be destitute of sincere friendship.
Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home.
Read not to contradict and confute, not to believe and take for granted, not to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.
God has placed no limits to the exercise of the intellect he has given us, on this side of the grave.
Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.
Seek ye first the good things of the mind, and the rest will either be supplied or its loss will not be felt.
By far the best proof is experience.
He of whom many are afraid ought to fear many.
I have taken all knowledge to be my province.
Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more man's nature runs to the more ought law to weed it out.
Knowledge is power.(Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est)
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.
Certainly virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed: for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.
Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.
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.
When a traveller returneth home, let him not leave the countries where he hath travelled altogether behind him.
Read not to contradict and confute, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.
There are times of pure joy when you wish all human life well.
A little philosophy inclineth men's minds toward atheism, but depth of philosophy bringeth men's minds about again to religion.
Whoever is out of patience is out of possession of his soul. Men must not turn into bees, and kill themselves in stinging others.
In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.
