Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
-
Upload
iacobgilberto6473 -
Category
Documents
-
view
225 -
download
0
Transcript of Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 1/124
Francis Bacon
THE ESSAYS
OR COUNSELS,
CIVIL AND MORAL,
OF FRANCIS Ld. VERULAM
VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS
THE ESSAYS
Of Tru!
Of D"a!Of Uni# in R"$i%ion
Of R"&"n%"
Of Ad&"rsi#
Of Si'u$aion and Dissi'u$aion
Of (ar"ns and C!i$dr"n
Of Marria%" and Sin%$" Lif"
Of En&#
Of Lo&"
Of )r"a ($ac"
Of Bo$dn"ss
Of )oodn"ss and )oodn"ss of Naur"
Of No*i$i#
Of S"diions and Trou*$"s
Of A!"is'
Of Su+"rsiion
Of Tra&"$
Of E'+ir"
Of Couns"$
Of D"$a#s
Of Cunnin%
Of isdo' for a Man-s S"$f
Of Inno&aions
Of Dis+ac!
Of S""'in% is"
Of Fri"nds!i+
Of E+"ns"
Of !" Tru" )r"an"ss of /in%do's and Esa"sOf R"%i'"n of H"a$!
Of Sus+icion
Of Discours"
Of ($anaions
Of Ric!"s
Of (ro+!"ci"s
Of A'*iion
Of Mos0u"s and Triu'+!s
Of Naur" in M"n
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 2/124
Of Cuso' and Educaion
Of Forun"
Of Usur#
Of You! and A%"
Of B"au#
Of D"for'i#
Of Bui$din%
Of )ard"ns
Of N"%oiain%
Of Fo$$o1"rs and Fri"nds
Of Suiors
Of Sudi"s
Of Facion
Of C"r"'oni"s and R"s+"cs
Of (rais"
Of Vain2%$or#
Of Honor and R"+uaion
Of 3udicaur"
Of An%"r
Of Vicissiud" of T!in%s
Of Fa'"
TO
THE RI)HT HONORABLE
MY VERY )OOD LORD
THE DU/E OF BUC/IN)HAM
HIS )RACE, LORD
HI)H ADMIRAL OF EN)LAND
E4CELLENT LORD5
SALOMON sai"s6 A %ood Na'" is as a +r"cious
o#n'"n6 And I assur" '# s"$f", suc! 1i$
#our )rac"s Na'" *"", 1i! (os"rii". For #our
Forun", and M"ri *o!, !a&" *""n E'in"n. And
#ou !a&" +$an"d T!in%s, !a ar" $i7" o $as. I do"
no1 +u*$is! '# Essa#"s6 1!ic!, of a$$ '# o!"r
1or7"s, !a&" *""n" 'os Curran5 For !a, as i
s""'"s, !"# co'" !o'", o M"ns Busin"ss", and
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 3/124
Boso'"s. I !a&" "n$ar%"d !"', *o! in Nu'*"r,
and "i%!6 So !a !"# ar" ind""d a N"1 or7".
I !ou%! i !"r"for" a%r""a*$", o '# Aff"cion,
and O*$i%aion o #our )rac", o +r"fi #our Na'"
*"for" !"', *o! in En%$is!, and in Lain". For I
do" conc"i&", !a !" Lain" Vo$u'" of !"',
8*"in% in !" Uni&"rsa$$ Lan%ua%"9 'a# $as, as
$on% as Boo7"s $as. M# Insauraion, I d"dica"d o
!" /in%5 M# Hisori" of H"nr# !" S"&"n!,
81!ic! I !a&" no1 a$so rans$a"d ino Lain"9 and
'# (orions of Naura$$ Hisor#, o !" (rinc"5
And !"s" I d"dica" o #our )rac"6 B"in% of !"
*"s Fruis, !a *# !" %ood Encr"as", 1!ic! )od
%i&"s o '# ("n and La*ours, I cou$d #""$d.
)od $"ad" #our )rac" *# !" Hand. Your )rac"s
'os O*$i%"d and fai!fu$$ S"r&an,
FR. ST. ALBAN
Of Tru!
HAT is ru!: said ;"sin% (i$a",and 1ou$d
no sa# for an ans1"r. C"rain$# !"r" *",
!a d"$i%! in %iddin"ss, and coun i a *onda%" o
fi a *"$i"f6 aff"cin% fr""21i$$ in !in7in%, as 1"$$
as in acin%. And !ou%! !" s"cs of +!i$oso+!"rs
of !a 7ind *" %on", #" !"r" r"'ain c"rain dis2
coursin% 1is, 1!ic! ar" of !" sa'" &"ins, !ou%!
!"r" *" no so 'uc! *$ood in !"', as 1as in !os"
of !" anci"ns. Bu i is no on$# !" difficu$# and
$a*or, 1!ic! '"n a7" in findin% ou of ru!, nor
a%ain, !a 1!"n i is found, i i'+os"! u+on
'"n-s !ou%!s, !a do! *rin% $i"s in fa&or6 *u
a naura$, !ou%! corru+ $o&", of !" $i" is"$f. On"
of !" $a"r sc!oo$ of !" )r"cians, "a'in"! !"
'a"r, and is a a sand, o !in7 1!a s!ou$d *"
in i, !a '"n s!ou$d $o&" $i"s6 1!"r" n"i!"r !"#
'a7" for +$"asur", as 1i! +o"s, nor for ad&an2
a%", as 1i! !" '"rc!an6 *u for !" $i"-s sa7".
Bu I canno "$$6 !is sa'" ru!, is a na7"d, and
o+"n da#2$i%!, !a do! no s!o1 !" 'as7s, and
'u''"ri"s, and riu'+!s, of !" 1or$d, !a$f sosa"$# and daini$# as cand$"2$i%!s. Tru! 'a#
+"r!a+s co'" o !" +ric" of a +"ar$, !a s!o1"!
*"s *# da#6 *u i 1i$$ no ris" o !" +ric" of a
dia'ond, or car*unc$", !a s!o1"! *"s in &ari"d
$i%!s. A 'iur" of a $i" do! "&"r add +$"asur".
Do! an# 'an dou*, !a if !"r" 1"r" a7"n ou
of '"n-s 'inds, &ain o+inions, f$a"rin% !o+"s,
fa$s" &a$uaions, i'a%inaions as on" 1ou$d, and
!" $i7", *u i 1ou$d $"a&" !" 'inds, of a nu'*"r
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 4/124
of '"n, +oor s!run7"n !in%s, fu$$ of '"$anc!o$#
and indis+osiion, and un+$"asin% o !"'s"$&"s:
On" of !" fa!"rs, in %r"a s"&"ri#, ca$$"d +o"s#
&inu' da"'onu', *"caus" i fir"! !" i'a%ina2
ion6 and #", i is *u 1i! !" s!ado1 of a $i".
Bu i is no !" $i" !a +ass"! !rou%! !" 'ind,
*u !" $i" !a sin7"! in, and s"$"! in i, !a
do! !" !ur6 suc! as 1" s+a7" of *"for". Bu !o12
so"&"r !"s" !in%s ar" !us in '"n-s d"+ra&"d
;ud%'"ns, and aff"cions, #" ru!, 1!ic! on$#
do! ;ud%" is"$f, "ac!"! !a !" in0uir# of ru!,
1!ic! is !" $o&"2'a7in%, or 1ooin% of i, !"
7no1$"d%" of ru!, 1!ic! is !" +r"s"nc" of i, and
!" *"$i"f of ru!, 1!ic! is !" "n;o#in% of i, is
!" so&"r"i%n %ood of !u'an naur". T!" firs
cr"aur" of )od, in !" 1or7s of !" da#s, 1as !"
$i%! of !" s"ns"6 !" $as, 1as !" $i%! of r"ason6
and !is sa**a! 1or7 "&"r sinc", is !" i$$u'ina2
ion of !is S+iri. Firs !" *r"a!"d $i%!, u+on !"
fac" of !" 'a"r or c!aos6 !"n !" *r"a!"d $i%!,ino !" fac" of 'an6 and si$$ !" *r"a!"! and in2
s+ir"! $i%!, ino !" fac" of !is c!os"n. T!" +o",
!a *"auifi"d !" s"c, !a 1as o!"r1is" in2
f"rior o !" r"s, sai! #" "c"$$"n$# 1"$$5 I is a
+$"asur", o sand u+on !" s!or", and o s"" s!i+s
oss"d u+on !" s"a6 a +$"asur", o sand in !" 1in2
do1 of a cas$", and o s"" a *a$", and !" ad&"n2
ur"s !"r"of *"$o15 *u no +$"asur" is co'+ara*$"
o !" sandin% u+on !" &ana%" %round of ru!
8a !i$$ no o *" co''and"d, and 1!"r" !" air is
a$1a#s c$"ar and s"r"n"9, and o s"" !" "rrors, and
1and"rin%s, and 'iss, and "'+"ss, in !" &a$"
*"$o16 so a$1a#s !a !is +ros+"c *" 1i! +i#,
and no 1i! s1"$$in%, or +rid". C"rain$#, i is
!"a&"n u+on "ar!, o !a&" a 'an-s 'ind 'o&" in
c!ari#, r"s in +ro&id"nc", and urn u+on !"
+o$"s of ru!.
To +ass fro' !"o$o%ica$, and +!i$oso+!ica$
ru!, o !" ru! of ci&i$ *usin"ss6 i 1i$$ *" ac2
7no1$"d%"d, "&"n *# !os" !a +racis" i no, !a
c$"ar, and round d"a$in%, is !" !onor of 'an-s
naur"6 and !a 'iur" of fa$s"!oods, is $i7" a$$o#
in coin of %o$d and si$&"r, 1!ic! 'a# 'a7" !"
'"a$ 1or7 !" *""r, *u i "'*as"! i. For !"s"
1indin%, and croo7"d cours"s, ar" !" %oin%s of !"
s"r+"n6 1!ic! %o"! *as"$# u+on !" *"$$#, andno u+on !" f"". T!"r" is no &ic", !a do! so
co&"r a 'an 1i! s!a'", as o *" found fa$s" and
+"rfidious. And !"r"for" Monai%n" sai! +r"2
i$#, 1!"n !" in0uir"d !" r"ason, 1!# !" 1ord
of !" $i" s!ou$d *" suc! a dis%rac", and suc! an
odious c!ar%": Sai! !", If i *" 1"$$ 1"i%!"d, o
sa# !a a 'an $i"!, is as 'uc! o sa#, as !a !" is
*ra&" o1ards )od, and a co1ard o1ards '"n.
For a $i" fac"s )od, and s!rin7s fro' 'an. Sur"$#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 5/124
!" 1ic7"dn"ss of fa$s"!ood, and *r"ac! of fai!,
canno +ossi*$# *" so !i%!$# "+r"ss"d, as in !a
i s!a$$ *" !" $as +"a$, o ca$$ !" ;ud%'"ns of )od
u+on !" %"n"raions of '"n6 i *"in% for"o$d,
!a 1!"n C!ris co'"!, !" s!a$$ no find fai!
u+on !" "ar!.
Of D"a!
MEN f"ar d"a!, as c!i$dr"n f"ar o %o in !"
dar76 and as !a naura$ f"ar in c!i$dr"n,
is incr"as"d 1i! a$"s, so is !" o!"r. C"rain$#,
!" con"'+$aion of d"a!, as !" 1a%"s of sin,and +assa%" o ano!"r 1or$d, is !o$# and r"$i%2
ious6 *u !" f"ar of i, as a ri*u" du" uno naur",
is 1"a7. Y" in r"$i%ious '"diaions, !"r" is so'"2
i'"s 'iur" of &ani#, and of su+"rsiion. You
s!a$$ r"ad, in so'" of !" friars- *oo7s of 'orifica2
ion, !a a 'an s!ou$d !in7 1i! !i's"$f, 1!a
!" +ain is, if !" !a&" *u !is fin%"r-s "nd +r"ss"d,
or orur"d, and !"r"*# i'a%in", 1!a !" +ains
of d"a! ar", 1!"n !" 1!o$" *od# is corru+"d,
and disso$&"d6 1!"n 'an# i'"s d"a! +ass"!,
1i! $"ss +ain !an !" orur" of a $i'*6 for !"
'os &ia$ +ars, ar" no !" 0uic7"s of s"ns". And
*# !i' !a s+a7" on$# as a +!i$oso+!"r, and na2
ura$ 'an, i 1as 1"$$ said, (o'+a 'oris 'a%is
"rr", 0ua' 'ors i+sa. )roans, and con&u$sions,
and a disco$or"d fac", and fri"nds 1""+in%, and
*$ac7s, and o*s"0ui"s, and !" $i7", s!o1 d"a!
"rri*$". I is 1or!# !" o*s"r&in%, !a !"r" is no
+assion in !" 'ind of 'an, so 1"a7, *u i 'a"s,
and 'as"rs, !" f"ar of d"a!6 and !"r"for",
d"a! is no suc! "rri*$" "n"'#, 1!"n a 'an !a!
so 'an# a"ndans a*ou !i', !a can 1in !"
co'*a of !i'. R"&"n%" riu'+!s o&"r d"a!6 $o&"
s$i%!s i6 !onor as+ir"! o i6 %ri"f f$i"! o i6 f"ar
+r"occu+a"! i6 na#, 1" r"ad, af"r O!o !" "'2
+"ror !ad s$ain !i's"$f, +i# 81!ic! is !" "nd"r2
"s of aff"cions9 +ro&o7"d 'an# o di", ou of '"r"co'+assion o !"ir so&"r"i%n, and as !" ru"s
sor of fo$$o1"rs. Na#, S"n"ca adds nic"n"ss and
sai"#5 Co%ia 0ua'diu "ad"' f"c"ris6 'ori &"$$",
non anu' foris au 'is"r, s"d "ia' fasidiosus
+o"s. A 'an 1ou$d di", !ou%! !" 1"r" n"i!"r
&a$ian, nor 'is"ra*$", on$# u+on a 1"arin"ss o
do !" sa'" !in% so of, o&"r and o&"r. I is no $"ss
1or!#, o o*s"r&", !o1 $i$" a$"raion in %ood
s+iris, !" a++roac!"s of d"a! 'a7"6 for !"#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 6/124
a++"ar o *" !" sa'" '"n, i$$ !" $as insan.
Au%usus Ca"sar di"d in a co'+$i'"n6 Li&ia, con2
;u%ii nosri '"'or, &i&" " &a$". Ti*"rius in dissi2
'u$aion6 as Tacius sai! of !i', 3a' Ti*"riu'
&ir"s " cor+us, non dissi'u$aio, d"s"r"*an. V"s2
+asian in a ;"s, siin% u+on !" soo$6 U +uo d"us
fio. )a$*a 1i! a s"n"nc"6 F"ri, si " r" si +o+u$i
Ro'ani6 !o$din% for! !is n"c7. S"+i'ius S"&"rus
in d"s+ac!6 Ad"s" si 0uid 'i!i r"sa a%"ndu'.
And !" $i7". C"rain$# !" Soics *"so1"d oo
'uc! cos u+on d"a!, and *# !"ir %r"a +r"+ara2
ions, 'ad" i a++"ar 'or" f"arfu$. B""r sai! !",
0ui fin"' &ia" "r"'u' in"r 'un"ra +ona
naura". I is as naura$ o di", as o *" *orn6 and o
a $i$" infan, +"r!a+s, !" on" is as +ainfu$, as !"
o!"r. H" !a di"s in an "arn"s +ursui, is $i7" on"
!a is 1ound"d in !o *$ood6 1!o, for !" i'",
scarc" f""$s !" !ur6 and !"r"for" a 'ind fi"d,
and *"n u+on so'"1!a !a is %ood, do! a&"r
!" do$ors of d"a!. Bu, a*o&" a$$, *"$i"&" i, !"
s1"""s canic$" is-, Nunc di'iis6 1!"n a 'an!a! o*ain"d 1or!# "nds, and "+"caions.
D"a! !a! !is a$so6 !a i o+"n"! !" %a" o
%ood fa'", and "in%uis!"! "n&#. 2 Eincus
a'a*iur id"'.
Of Uni#
IN RELI)ION
RELI)ION *"in% !" c!i"f *and of !u'an so2
ci"#, i is a !a++# !in%, 1!"n is"$f is 1"$$
conain"d 1i!in !" ru" *and of uni#. T!"
0uarr"$s, and di&isions a*ou r"$i%ion, 1"r" "&i$s
un7no1n o !" !"a!"n. T!" r"ason 1as, *"caus"
!" r"$i%ion of !" !"a!"n, consis"d ra!"r in
ri"s and c"r"'oni"s, !an in an# consan *"$i"f.
For #ou 'a# i'a%in", 1!a 7ind of fai! !"irs
1as, 1!"n !" c!i"f docors, and fa!"rs of !"ir
c!urc!, 1"r" !" +o"s. Bu !" ru" )od !a! !is
ari*u", !a !" is a ;"a$ous )od6 and !"r"for",!is 1ors!i+ and r"$i%ion, 1i$$ "ndur" no 'iur",
nor +arn"r." s!a$$ !"r"for" s+"a7 a f"1 1ords,
conc"rnin% !" uni# of !" c!urc!6 1!a ar" !"
fruis !"r"of 6 1!a !" *ounds6 and 1!a !"
'"ans.
T!" fruis of uni# 8n" uno !" 1"$$ +$"asin%
of )od, 1!ic! is a$$ in a$$9 ar" 1o5 !" on", o1ards
!os" !a ar" 1i!ou !" c!urc!, !" o!"r,
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 7/124
o1ards !os" !a ar" 1i!in. For !" for'"r6 i is
c"rain, !a !"r"si"s, and sc!is's, ar" of a$$ o!"rs
!" %r"a"s scanda$s6 #"a, 'or" !an corru+ion
of 'ann"rs. For as in !" naura$ *od#, a 1ound,
or so$uion of coninui#, is 1ors" !an a corru+
!u'or6 so in !" s+iriua$. So !a no!in%, do! so
'uc! 7""+ '"n ou of !" c!urc!, and dri&" '"n
ou of !" c!urc!, as *r"ac! of uni#. And !"r"2
for", 1!"nso"&"r i co'"! o !a +ass, !a on"
sai!, Ecc" in d"s"ro, ano!"r sai!, Ecc" in +"n"2
ra$i*us6 !a is, 1!"n so'" '"n s""7 C!ris, in !"
con&"nic$"s of !"r"ics, and o!"rs, in an ou1ard
fac" of a c!urc!, !a &oic" !ad n""d coninua$$#
o sound in '"n-s "ars, No$i" "ir", 2 )o no ou.
T!" docor of !" )"ni$"s 8!" +ro+ri"# of 1!os"
&ocaion, dr"1 !i' o !a&" a s+"cia$ car" of !os"
1i!ou9 sai!, if an !"a!"n co'" in, and !"ar
#ou s+"a7 1i! s"&"ra$ on%u"s, 1i$$ !" no sa#
!a #ou ar" 'ad: And c"rain$# i is $i$" *""r,
1!"n a!"iss, and +rofan" +"rsons, do !"ar of
so 'an# discordan, and conrar# o+inions in r"2$i%ion6 i do! a&"r !"' fro' !" c!urc!, and
'a7"! !"', o si do1n in !" c!air of !"
scorn"rs. I is *u a $i%! !in%, o *" &ouc!"d in so
s"rious a 'a"r, *u #" i "+r"ss"! 1"$$ !"
d"for'i#. T!"r" is a 'as"r of scoffin%, !a in !is
caa$o%u" of *oo7s of a f"i%n"d $i*rar#, s"s do1n
!is i$" of a *oo7, T!" Morris2Danc" of H"r"ics.
For ind""d, "&"r# s"c of !"', !a! a di&"rs" +os2
ur", or crin%" *# !"'s"$&"s, 1!ic! canno *u
'o&" d"rision in 1or$d$in%s, and d"+ra&"d +o$iics,
1!o ar" a+ o con"'n !o$# !in%s.
As for !" frui o1ards !os" !a ar" 1i!in6 i
is +"ac"6 1!ic! conain"! infini" *$"ssin%s. I
"sa*$is!"! fai!6 i 7ind$"! c!ari#6 !" ou1ard
+"ac" of !" c!urc!, disi$$"! ino +"ac" of con2
sci"nc"6 and i urn"! !" $a*ors of 1riin%, and
r"adin% of conro&"rsi"s, ino r"ai"s of 'orifica2
ion and d"&oion.
Conc"rnin% !" *ounds of uni#6 !" ru" +$ac2
in% of !"', i'+or"! "c""din%$#. T!"r" a++"ar
o *" 1o "r"'"s. For o c"rain <"a$ans, a$$
s+""c! of +acificaion is odious. Is i +"ac", 3"!u,:
!a !as !ou o do 1i! +"ac": urn !"" *"2
!ind '". ("ac" is no !" 'a"r, *u fo$$o1in%,
and +ar#. Conrari1is", c"rain Laodic"ans, and$u7"1ar' +"rsons, !in7 !"# 'a# acco''oda"
+oins of r"$i%ion, *# 'idd$" 1a#, and a7in% +ar
of *o!, and 1i# r"conci$"'"ns6 as if !"# 1ou$d
'a7" an ar*ira'"n *"1""n )od and 'an. Bo!
!"s" "r"'"s ar" o *" a&oid"d6 1!ic! 1i$$ *"
don", if !" $"a%u" of C!risians, +"nn"d *# our
Sa&ior !i's"$f, 1"r" in 1o cross c$aus"s !"r"of,
sound$# and +$ain$# "+ound"d5 H" !a is no
1i! us, is a%ains us6 and a%ain, H" !a is no
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 8/124
a%ains us, is 1i! us6 !a is, if !" +oins funda2
'"na$ and of su*sanc" in r"$i%ion, 1"r" ru$#
disc"rn"d and disin%uis!"d, fro' +oins no
'"r"$# of fai!, *u of o+inion, ord"r, or %ood in2
"nion. T!is is a !in% 'a# s""' o 'an# a 'a"r
ri&ia$, and don" a$r"ad#. Bu if i 1"r" don" $"ss
+aria$$#, i 1ou$d *" "'*rac"d 'or" %"n"ra$$#.
Of !is I 'a# %i&" on$# !is ad&ic", accordin% o
'# s'a$$ 'od"$. M"n ou%! o a7" !""d, of r"nd2
in% )od-s c!urc!, *# 1o 7inds of conro&"rsi"s.
T!" on" is, 1!"n !" 'a"r of !" +oin conro2
&"r"d, is oo s'a$$ and $i%!, no 1or! !" !"a
and srif" a*ou i, 7ind$"d on$# *# conradicion.
For, as i is no"d, *# on" of !" fa!"rs, C!ris-s
coa ind""d !ad no s"a', *u !" c!urc!-s &"sur"
1as of di&"rs co$ors6 1!"r"u+on !" sai!, In &"s"
&ari"as si, scissura non si6 !"# *" 1o !in%s,
uni# and unifor'i#. T!" o!"r is, 1!"n !"
'a"r of !" +oin conro&"r"d, is %r"a, *u i is
dri&"n o an o&"r2%r"a su*i$#, and o*scuri#6 so!a i *"co'"! a !in% ra!"r in%"nious, !an
su*sania$. A 'an !a is of ;ud%'"n and und"r2
sandin%, s!a$$ so'"i'"s !"ar i%noran '"n dif2
f"r, and 7no1 1"$$ 1i!in !i's"$f, !a !os"
1!ic! so diff"r, '"an on" !in%, and #" !"#
!"'s"$&"s 1ou$d n"&"r a%r"". And if i co'" so
o +ass, in !a disanc" of ;ud%'"n, 1!ic! is *"2
1""n 'an and 'an, s!a$$ 1" no !in7 !a )od
a*o&", !a 7no1s !" !"ar, do! no disc"rn !a
frai$ '"n, in so'" of !"ir conradicions, in"nd
!" sa'" !in%6 and acc"+"! of *o!: T!" naur"
of suc! conro&"rsi"s is "c"$$"n$# "+r"ss"d, *#
S. (au$, in !" 1arnin% and +r"c"+, !a !" %i&"!
conc"rnin% !" sa'", D"&ia +rofanas &ocu' no&i2
a"s, " o++osiion"s fa$si no'inis sci"nia". M"n
cr"a" o++osiions, 1!ic! ar" no6 and +u !"'
ino n"1 "r's, so fi"d, as 1!"r"as !" '"anin%
ou%! o %o&"rn !" "r', !" "r' in "ff"c %o&2
"rn"! !" '"anin%.T!"r" *" a$so 1o fa$s" +"ac"s,
or unii"s5 !" on", 1!"n !" +"ac" is %round"d,
*u u+on an i'+$ici i%noranc"6 for a$$ co$ors 1i$$
a%r"" in !" dar75 !" o!"r, 1!"n i is +i"c"d u+,
u+on a dir"c ad'ission of conrari"s, in funda2
'"na$ +oins. For ru! and fa$s"!ood, in suc!
!in%s, ar" $i7" !" iron and c$a#, in !" o"s of
N"*uc!adn"<<ar-s i'a%"6 !"# 'a# c$"a&", *u
!"# 1i$$ no incor+ora".
Conc"rnin% !" '"ans of +rocurin% uni#6 '"n
'us *"1ar", !a in !" +rocurin%, or r"uniin%,
of r"$i%ious uni#, !"# do no disso$&" and d"fac"
!" $a1s of c!ari#, and of !u'an soci"#. T!"r"
*" 1o s1ords a'on%s C!risians, !" s+iriua$
and "'+ora$6 and *o! !a&" !"ir du" offic" and
+$ac", in !" 'ain"nanc" of r"$i%ion. Bu 1" 'a#
no a7" u+ !" !ird s1ord, 1!ic! is Ma!o'"-s
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 9/124
s1ord, or $i7" uno i6 !a is, o +ro+a%a" r"$i%ion
*# 1ars, or *# san%uinar# +"rs"cuions o forc"
consci"nc"s6 "c"+ i *" in cas"s of o&"r scanda$,
*$as+!"'#, or in"r'iur" of +racic" a%ains
!" sa"6 'uc! $"ss o nouris! s"diions6 o au!or2
i<" cons+iraci"s and r"*"$$ions6 o +u !" s1ord
ino !" +"o+$"-s !ands6 and !" $i7"6 "ndin% o
!" su*&"rsion of a$$ %o&"rn'"n, 1!ic! is !"
ordinanc" of )od. For !is is *u o das! !" firs
a*$" a%ains !" s"cond6 and so o consid"r '"n
as C!risians, as 1" for%" !a !"# ar" '"n.
Lucr"ius !" +o", 1!"n !" *"!"$d !" ac of A%a2
'"'non, !a cou$d "ndur" !" sacrificin% of !is
o1n dau%!"r, "c$ai'"d5 Tanu' R"$i%io +oui
suad"r" 'a$oru'.
!a 1ou$d !" !a&" said, if !" !ad 7no1n of
!" 'assacr" in Franc", or !" +o1d"r r"ason of
En%$and: H" 1ou$d !a&" *""n s"&"n i'"s 'or"
E+icur", and a!"is, !an !" 1as. For as !" "'2+ora$ s1ord is o *" dra1n 1i! %r"a circu's+"c2
ion in cas"s of r"$i%ion6 so i is a !in% 'onsrous
o +u i ino !" !ands of !" co''on +"o+$". L"
!a *" $"f uno !" Ana*a+iss, and o!"r furi"s.
I 1as %r"a *$as+!"'#, 1!"n !" d"&i$ said, I 1i$$
asc"nd, and *" $i7" !" !i%!"s6 *u i is %r"a"r
*$as+!"'#, o +"rsona" )od, and *rin% !i' in
sa#in%, I 1i$$ d"sc"nd, and *" $i7" !" +rinc" of
dar7n"ss6 and 1!a is i *""r, o 'a7" !" caus"
of r"$i%ion o d"sc"nd, o !" cru"$ and ""cra*$"
acions of 'ur!"rin% +rinc"s, *uc!"r# of +"o+$",
and su*&"rsion of sa"s and %o&"rn'"ns: Sur"$#
!is is o *rin% do1n !" Ho$# )!os, ins"ad of !"
$i7"n"ss of a do&", in !" s!a+" of a &u$ur" or
ra&"n6 and s", ou of !" *ar7 of a C!risian
c!urc!, a f$a% of a *ar7 of +ira"s, and assassins.
T!"r"for" i is 'os n"c"ssar#, !a !" c!urc!, *#
docrin" and d"cr"", +rinc"s *# !"ir s1ord, and
a$$ $"arnin%s, *o! C!risian and 'ora$, as *# !"ir
M"rcur# rod, do da'n and s"nd o !"$$ for "&"r,
!os" facs and o+inions "ndin% o !" su++or of
!" sa'"6 as !a! *""n a$r"ad# in %ood +ar don".
Sur"$# in couns"$s conc"rnin% r"$i%ion, !a coun2
s"$ of !" a+os$" 1ou$d *" +r"fi"d, Ira !o'inis
non i'+$" ;usiia' D"i. And i 1as a noa*$"
o*s"r&aion of a 1is" fa!"r, and no $"ss in%"nu2
ous$# conf"ss"d6 !a !os" 1!ic! !"$d and +"r2suad"d +r"ssur" of consci"nc"s, 1"r" co''on$#
in"r"s"d !"r"in., !"'s"$&"s, for !"ir o1n "nds.
Of R"&"n%"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 10/124
REVEN)E is a 7ind of 1i$d ;usic"6 1!ic! !"
'or" 'an- s naur" runs o, !" 'or" ou%!
$a1 o 1""d i ou. For as for !" firs 1ron%, i
do! *u off"nd !" $a16 *u !" r"&"n%" of !a
1ron%, +u"! !" $a1 ou of offic". C"rain$#, in
a7in% r"&"n%", a 'an is *u "&"n 1i! !is "n"'#6
*u in +assin% i o&"r, !" is su+"rior6 for i is a
+rinc"-s +ar o +ardon. And So$o'on, I a' sur",
sai!, I is !" %$or# of a 'an, o +ass *# an off"nc".
T!a 1!ic! is +as is %on", and irr"&oca*$"6 and
1is" '"n !a&" "nou%! o do, 1i! !in%s +r"s"n
and o co'"6 !"r"for" !"# do *u rif$" 1i!
!"'s"$&"s, !a $a*or in +as 'a"rs. T!"r" is no
'an do! a 1ron%, for !" 1ron%-s sa7"6 *u
!"r"*# o +urc!as" !i's"$f +rofi, or +$"asur", or
!onor, or !" $i7". T!"r"for" 1!# s!ou$d I *"
an%r# 1i! a 'an, for $o&in% !i's"$f *""r !an
'": And if an# 'an s!ou$d do 1ron%, '"r"$# ou
of i$$2naur", 1!#, #" i is *u $i7" !" !orn or
*riar, 1!ic! +ric7 and scrac!, *"caus" !"# can
do no o!"r. T!" 'os o$"ra*$" sor of r"&"n%", isfor !os" 1ron%s 1!ic! !"r" is no $a1 o r"'"d#6
*u !"n $" a 'an a7" !""d, !" r"&"n%" *" suc!
as !"r" is no $a1 o +unis!6 "$s" a 'an-s "n"'# is
si$$ *"for" !and, and i is 1o for on". So'", 1!"n
!"# a7" r"&"n%", ar" d"sirous, !" +ar# s!ou$d
7no1, 1!"nc" i co'"!. T!is is !" 'or" %"n"r2
ous. For !" d"$i%! s""'"! o *", no so 'uc! in
doin% !" !ur, as in 'a7in% !" +ar# r"+"n. Bu
*as" and craf# co1ards, ar" $i7" !" arro1 !a
f$i"! in !" dar7. Cos'us, du7" of F$or"nc", !ad a
d"s+"ra" sa#in% a%ains +"rfidious or n"%$"cin%
fri"nds, as if !os" 1ron%s 1"r" un+ardona*$"6
You s!a$$ r"ad 8sai! !"9 !a 1" ar" co''and"d
o for%i&" our "n"'i"s6 *u #ou n"&"r r"ad, !a 1"
ar" co''and"d o for%i&" our fri"nds. Bu #" !"
s+iri of 3o* 1as in a *""r un"5 S!a$$ 1" 8sai!
!"9 a7" %ood a )od-s !ands, and no *" con"n o
a7" "&i$ a$so: And so of fri"nds in a +ro+orion.
T!is is c"rain, !a a 'an !a sudi"! r"&"n%",
7""+s !is o1n 1ounds %r""n, 1!ic! o!"r1is"
1ou$d !"a$, and do 1"$$. (u*$ic r"&"n%"s ar" for
!" 'os +ar foruna"6 as !a for !" d"a! of
Ca"sar6 for !" d"a! of ("rina6 for !" d"a! of
H"nr# !" T!ird of Franc"6 and 'an# 'or". Bu
in +ri&a" r"&"n%"s, i is no so. Na# ra!"r, &indic2
i&" +"rsons $i&" !" $if" of 1ic!"s6 1!o, as !"#
ar" 'isc!i"&ous, so "nd !"# inforuna".
Of Ad&"rsi#
IT AS an !i%! s+""c! of S"n"ca 8af"r !"
'ann"r of !" Soics9, !a !" %ood !in%s,
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 11/124
1!ic! *"$on% o +ros+"ri#, ar" o *" 1is!"d6 *u
!" %ood !in%s, !a *"$on% o ad&"rsi#, ar" o *"
ad'ir"d. Bona r"ru' s"cundaru' o+a*i$ia6 ad2
&"rsaru' 'ira*i$ia. C"rain$# if 'irac$"s *" !"
co''and o&"r naur", !"# a++"ar 'os in ad&"r2
si#. I is #" a !i%!"r s+""c! of !is, !an !" o!"r
8'uc! oo !i%! for a !"a!"n9, I is ru" %r"an"ss,
o !a&" in on" !" frai$# of a 'an, and !" s"curi#
of a )od. V"r" 'a%nu' !a*"r" fra%i$ia"' !o'i2
nis, s"curia"' D"i. T!is 1ou$d !a&" don" *""r
in +o"s#, 1!"r" ransc"nd"nc"s ar" 'or" a$$o1"d.
And !" +o"s ind""d !a&" *""n *us# 1i! i6 for
i is in "ff"c !" !in%, 1!ic! fi%ur"d in !a
sran%" ficion of !" anci"n +o"s, 1!ic! s""'"!
no o *" 1i!ou '#s"r#6 na#, and o !a&" so'"
a++roac! o !" sa" of a C!risian6 !a H"rcu$"s,
1!"n !" 1"n o un*ind (ro'"!"us 8*# 1!o'
!u'an naur" is r"+r"s"n"d9, sai$"d !" $"n%! of
!" %r"a oc"an, in an "ar!"n +o or +ic!"r6 $i&"$#
d"scri*in% C!risian r"so$uion, !a sai$"! in !"
frai$ *ar7 of !" f$"s!, !rou%! !" 1a&"s of !"1or$d. Bu o s+"a7 in a '"an. T!" &iru" of +ros2
+"ri#, is "'+"ranc"6 !" &iru" of ad&"rsi#, is
foriud"6 1!ic! in 'ora$s is !" 'or" !"roica$
&iru". (ros+"ri# is !" *$"ssin% of !" O$d T"sa2
'"n6 ad&"rsi# is !" *$"ssin% of !" N"16 1!ic!
carri"! !" %r"a"r *"n"dicion, and !" c$"ar"r
r"&"$aion of )od-s fa&or. Y" "&"n in !" O$d
T"sa'"n, if #ou $is"n o Da&id-s !ar+, #ou s!a$$
!"ar as 'an# !"ars"2$i7" airs as caro$s6 and !"
+"nci$ of !" Ho$# )!os !a! $a*or"d 'or" in d"2
scri*in% !" aff$icions of 3o*, !an !" f"$icii"s of
So$o'on. (ros+"ri# is no 1i!ou 'an# f"ars
and disas"s6 and ad&"rsi# is no 1i!ou co'2
fors and !o+"s. " s"" in n""d$"21or7s and "'2
*roid"ri"s, i is 'or" +$"asin% o !a&" a $i&"$# 1or7,
u+on a sad and so$"'n %round, !an o !a&" a dar7
and '"$anc!o$# 1or7, u+on a $i%!so'" %round5
;ud%" !"r"for" of !" +$"asur" of !" !"ar, *# !"
+$"asur" of !" "#". C"rain$# &iru" is $i7" +r"cious
odors, 'os fra%ran 1!"n !"# ar" inc"ns"d, or
crus!"d5 for +ros+"ri# do! *"s disco&"r &ic", *u
ad&"rsi# do! *"s disco&"r &iru".
Of Si'u$aionAND DISSIMULATION
DISSIMULATION is *u a fain 7ind of +o$2
ic#, or 1isdo'6 for i as7"! a sron% 1i,
and a sron% !"ar, o 7no1 1!"n o "$$ ru!, and
o do i. T!"r"for" i is !" 1"a7"r sor of +o$iics,
!a ar" !" %r"a diss"'*$"rs.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 12/124
Tacius sai!, Li&ia sor"d 1"$$ 1i! !" ars of
!"r !us*and, and dissi'u$aion of !"r son6 ari2
*uin% ars or +o$ic# o Au%usus, and dissi'u$a2
ion o Ti*"rius. And a%ain, 1!"n Mucianus
"ncoura%"! V"s+asian, o a7" ar's a%ains Vi"$2
$ius, !" sai!, " ris" no a%ains !" +i"rcin%
;ud%'"n of Au%usus, nor !" "r"'" cauion or
c$os"n"ss of Ti*"rius. T!"s" +ro+"ri"s, of ars or
+o$ic#, and dissi'u$aion or c$os"n"ss, ar" ind""d
!a*is and facu$i"s s"&"ra$, and o *" disin2
%uis!"d. For if a 'an !a&" !a +"n"raion of
;ud%'"n, as !" can disc"rn 1!a !in%s ar" o
*" $aid o+"n, and 1!a o *" s"cr""d, and 1!a o
*" s!o1"d a !a$f $i%!s, and o 1!o' and 1!"n
81!ic! ind""d ar" ars of sa", and ars of $if", as
Tacius 1"$$ ca$$"! !"'9, o !i', a !a*i of dis2
si'u$aion is a !ind"ranc" and a +oorn"ss. Bu if
a 'an canno o*ain o !a ;ud%'"n, !"n i is
$"f o *i' %"n"ra$$#, o *" c$os", and a diss"'*$"r.
For 1!"r" a 'an canno c!oos", or &ar# in +ari2cu$ars, !"r" i is %ood o a7" !" saf"s, and 1ari2
"s 1a#, in %"n"ra$6 $i7" !" %oin% sof$#, *# on"
!a canno 1"$$ s"". C"rain$# !" a*$"s '"n
!a "&"r 1"r", !a&" !ad a$$ an o+"nn"ss, and
fran7n"ss, of d"a$in%6 and a na'" of c"rain# and
&"raci#6 *u !"n !"# 1"r" $i7" !ors"s 1"$$
'ana%"d6 for !"# cou$d "$$ +assin% 1"$$, 1!"n o
so+ or urn6 and a suc! i'"s, 1!"n !"# !ou%!
!" cas" ind""d r"0uir"d dissi'u$aion, if !"n
!"# us"d i, i ca'" o +ass !a !" for'"r o+in2
ion, s+r"ad a*road, of !"ir %ood fai! and c$"ar2
n"ss of d"a$in%, 'ad" !"' a$'os in&isi*$".
T!"r" *" !r"" d"%r""s of !is !idin% and &"i$2
in% of a 'an-s s"$f. T!" firs, c$os"n"ss, r"s"r&aion,
and s"cr"c#6 1!"n a 'an $"a&"! !i's"$f 1i!ou
o*s"r&aion, or 1i!ou !o$d o *" a7"n, 1!a !"
is. T!" s"cond, dissi'u$aion, in !" n"%ai&"6
1!"n a 'an $"s fa$$ si%ns and ar%u'"ns, !a !"
is no, !a !" is. And !" !ird, si'u$aion, in !"
affir'ai&"6 1!"n a 'an indusrious$# and "2
+r"ss$# f"i%ns and +r""nds o *", !a !" is no.
For !" firs of !"s", s"cr"c#6 i is ind""d !"
&iru" of a conf"ssor. And assur"d$#, !" s"cr"
'an !"ar"! 'an# conf"ssions. For 1!o 1i$$ o+"n
!i's"$f, o a *$a* or a *a**$"r: Bu if a 'an *"!ou%! s"cr", i in&i"! disco&"r#6 as !" 'or"
c$os" air suc7"! in !" 'or" o+"n6 and as in con2
f"ssion, !" r"&"a$in% is no for 1or$d$# us", *u for
!" "as" of a 'an-s !"ar, so s"cr" '"n co'" o
!" 7no1$"d%" of 'an# !in%s in !a 7ind6 1!i$"
'"n ra!"r disc!ar%" !"ir 'inds, !an i'+ar
!"ir 'inds. In f"1 1ords, '#s"ri"s ar" du" o
s"cr"c#. B"sid"s 8o sa# ru!9 na7"dn"ss is un2
co'"$#, as 1"$$ in 'ind as *od#6 and i add"! no
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 13/124
s'a$$ r"&"r"nc", o '"n-s 'ann"rs and acions, if
!"# *" no a$o%"!"r o+"n. As for a$7"rs and
fui$" +"rsons, !"# ar" co''on$# &ain and cr"du2
$ous 1i!a$. For !" !a a$7"! 1!a !" 7no1"!,
1i$$ a$so a$7 1!a !" 7no1"! no. T!"r"for" s" i
do1n, !a an !a*i of s"cr"c#, is *o! +o$iic and
'ora$. And in !is +ar, i is %ood !a a 'an-s fac"
%i&" !is on%u" $"a&" o s+"a7. For !" disco&"r# of
a 'an- s s"$f, *# !" racs of !is coun"nanc", is a
%r"a 1"a7n"ss and *"ra#in%6 *# !o1 'uc! i is
'an# i'"s 'or" 'ar7"d, and *"$i"&"d, !an a
'an-s 1ords.
For !" s"cond, 1!ic! is dissi'u$aion6 i fo$2
$o1"! 'an# i'"s u+on s"cr"c#, *# a n"c"ssi#6
so !a !" !a 1i$$ *" s"cr", 'us *" a diss"'*$"r
in so'" d"%r"". For '"n ar" oo cunnin%, o suff"r
a 'an o 7""+ an indiff"r"n carria%" *"1""n
*o!, and o *" s"cr", 1i!ou s1a#in% !" *a$2
anc" on "i!"r sid". T!"# 1i$$ so *"s" a 'an 1i!
0u"sions, and dra1 !i' on, and +ic7 i ou of !i',!a, 1i!ou an a*surd si$"nc", !" 'us s!o1 an
inc$inaion on" 1a#6 or if !" do no, !"# 1i$$
%a!"r as 'uc! *# !is si$"nc", as *# !is s+""c!. As
for "0ui&ocaions, or oracu$ous s+""c!"s, !"# can2
no !o$d ou $on%. So !a no 'an can *" s"cr",
"c"+ !" %i&" !i's"$f a $i$" sco+" of dissi'u$a2
ion6 1!ic! is, as i 1"r", *u !" s7irs or rain of
s"cr"c#.
Bu for !" !ird d"%r"", 1!ic! is si'u$aion,
and fa$s" +rof"ssion6 !a I !o$d 'or" cu$+a*$",
and $"ss +o$iic6 "c"+ i *" in %r"a and rar" 'a2
"rs. And !"r"for" a %"n"ra$ cuso' of si'u$aion
81!ic! is !is $as d"%r""9 is a &ic", usin% "i!"r of
a naura$ fa$s"n"ss or f"arfu$n"ss, or of a 'ind !a
!a! so'" 'ain fau$s, 1!ic! *"caus" a 'an 'us
n""ds dis%uis", i 'a7"! !i' +racis" si'u$aion
in o!"r !in%s, $"s !is !and s!ou$d *" ou of us".
T!" %r"a ad&ana%"s of si'u$aion and dissi2
'u$aion ar" !r"". Firs, o $a# as$""+ o++osiion,
and o sur+ris". For 1!"r" a 'an-s in"nions ar"
+u*$is!"d, i is an a$aru', o ca$$ u+ a$$ !a ar"
a%ains !"'. T!" s"cond is, o r"s"r&" o a 'an-s
s"$f a fair r"r"a. For if a 'an "n%a%" !i's"$f *#
a 'anif"s d"c$araion, !" 'us %o !rou%! or a7"
a fa$$. T!" !ird is, !" *""r o disco&"r !" 'indof ano!"r. For o !i' !a o+"ns !i's"$f, '"n
1i$$ !ard$# s!o1 !"'s"$&"s ad&"rs"6 *u 1i$$ fair
$" !i' %o on, and urn !"ir fr""do' of s+""c!, o
fr""do' of !ou%!. And !"r"for" i is a %ood
s!r"1d +ro&"r* of !" S+aniard, T"$$ a $i" and find
a ro!. As if !"r" 1"r" no 1a# of disco&"r#, *u
*# si'u$aion. T!"r" *" a$so !r"" disad&ana%"s,
o s" i "&"n. T!" firs, !a si'u$aion and dissi2
'u$aion co''on$# carr# 1i! !"' a s!o1 of
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 14/124
f"arfu$n"ss, 1!ic! in an# *usin"ss, do! s+oi$ !"
f"a!"rs, of round f$#in% u+ o !" 'ar7. T!" s"c2
ond, !a i +u<<$"! and +"r+$""! !" conc"is
of 'an#, !a +"r!a+s 1ou$d o!"r1is" co2o+"ra"
1i! !i'6 and 'a7"s a 'an 1a$7 a$'os a$on", o
!is o1n "nds. T!" !ird and %r"a"s is, !a i
d"+ri&"! a 'an of on" of !" 'os +rinci+a$ in2
sru'"ns for acion6 1!ic! is rus and *"$i"f.
T!" *"s co'+osiion and "'+"raur", is o !a&"
o+"nn"ss in fa'" and o+inion6 s"cr"c# in !a*i6
dissi'u$aion in s"asona*$" us"6 and a +o1"r o
f"i%n, if !"r" *" no r"'"d#.
Of (ar"ns
AND CHILDREN
THE ;o#s of +ar"ns ar" s"cr"6 and so ar" !"ir
%ri"fs and f"ars. T!"# canno u"r !" on"6
nor !"# 1i$$ no u"r !" o!"r. C!i$dr"n s1"""n
$a*ors6 *u !"# 'a7" 'isforun"s 'or" *i"r.
T!"# incr"as" !" car"s of $if"6 *u !"# 'ii%a"
!" r"'"'*ranc" of d"a!. T!" +"r+"ui# *#
%"n"raion is co''on o *"ass6 *u '"'or#,
'"ri, and no*$" 1or7s, ar" +ro+"r o '"n. And
sur"$# a 'an s!a$$ s"" !" no*$"s 1or7s and foun2
daions !a&" +roc""d"d fro' c!i$d$"ss '"n6 1!ic!
!a&" sou%! o "+r"ss !" i'a%"s of !"ir 'inds,
1!"r" !os" of !"ir *odi"s !a&" fai$"d. So !" car"
of +os"ri# is 'os in !"', !a !a&" no +os"ri#.
T!"# !a ar" !" firs rais"rs of !"ir !ous"s, ar"
'os indu$%"n o1ards !"ir c!i$dr"n6 *"!o$din%
!"' as !" coninuanc", no on$# of !"ir 7ind, *u
of !"ir 1or76 and so *o! c!i$dr"n and cr"aur"s.
T!" diff"r"nc" in aff"cion, of +ar"ns o1ards
!"ir s"&"ra$ c!i$dr"n, is 'an# i'"s un"0ua$6 and
so'"i'"s un1or!#6 "s+"cia$$# in !" 'o!"rs6
as So$o'on sai!, A 1is" son r";oic"! !" fa!"r,*u an un%racious son s!a'"s !" 'o!"r. A 'an
s!a$$ s"", 1!"r" !"r" is a !ous" fu$$ of c!i$dr"n,
on" or 1o of !" "$d"s r"s+"c"d, and !" #oun%2
"s 'ad" 1anons6 *u in !" 'ids, so'" !a
ar" as i 1"r" for%o"n, 1!o 'an# i'"s, n"&"r2
!"$"ss, +ro&" !" *"s. T!" i$$i*"ra$i# of +ar"ns,
in a$$o1anc" o1ards !"ir c!i$dr"n, is an !ar'fu$
"rror6 'a7"s !"' *as"6 ac0uains !"' 1i!
s!ifs6 'a7"s !"' sor 1i! '"an co'+an#6 and
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 15/124
'a7"s !"' surf"i 'or" 1!"n !"# co'" o
+$"n#. And !"r"for" !" +roof is *"s, 1!"n '"n
7""+ !"ir au!ori# o1ards !" c!i$dr"n, *u no
!"ir +urs". M"n !a&" a foo$is! 'ann"r 8*o! +ar2
"ns and sc!oo$'as"rs and s"r&ans9 in cr"ain%
and *r""din% an "'u$aion *"1""n *ro!"rs, dur2
in% c!i$d!ood, 1!ic! 'an# i'"s sor"! o dis2
cord 1!"n !"# ar" '"n, and disur*"! fa'i$i"s.
T!" Ia$ians 'a7" $i$" diff"r"nc" *"1""n c!i$2
dr"n, and n"+!"1s or n"ar 7insfo$7s6 *u so !"#
*" of !" $u'+, !"# car" no !ou%! !"# +ass no
!rou%! !"ir o1n *od#. And, o sa# ru!, in
naur" i is 'uc! a $i7" 'a"r6 inso'uc! !a 1"
s"" a n"+!"1 so'"i'"s r"s"'*$"! an unc$", or
a 7ins'an, 'or" !an !is o1n +ar"n6 as !" *$ood
!a++"ns. L" +ar"ns c!oos" *"i'"s, !" &ocaions
and cours"s !"# '"an !"ir c!i$dr"n s!ou$d a7"6
for !"n !"# ar" 'os f$"i*$"6 and $" !"' no
oo 'uc! a++$# !"'s"$&"s o !" dis+osiion of
!"ir c!i$dr"n, as !in7in% !"# 1i$$ a7" *"s o
!a, 1!ic! !"# !a&" 'os 'ind o. I is ru", !aif !" aff"cion or a+n"ss of !" c!i$dr"n *" "ra2
ordinar#, !"n i is %ood no o cross i6 *u %"n"r2
a$$# !" +r"c"+ is %ood, o+i'u' "$i%", sua&" "
faci$" i$$ud faci" consu"udo. Youn%"r *ro!"rs
ar" co''on$# foruna", *u s"$do' or n"&"r
1!"r" !" "$d"r ar" disin!"ri"d.
Of Marria%"
AND SIN)LE LIFE
HE THAT !a! 1if" and c!i$dr"n !a! %i&"n
!osa%"s o forun"6 for !"# ar" i'+"di2
'"ns o %r"a "n"r+ris"s, "i!"r of &iru" or 'is2
c!i"f. C"rain$# !" *"s 1or7s, and of %r"a"s
'"ri for !" +u*$ic, !a&" +roc""d"d fro' !" un2
'arri"d or c!i$d$"ss '"n6 1!ic! *o! in aff"cion
and '"ans, !a&" 'arri"d and "ndo1"d !" +u*$ic.Y" i 1"r" %r"a r"ason !a !os" !a !a&" c!i$2
dr"n, s!ou$d !a&" %r"a"s car" of fuur" i'"s6
uno 1!ic! !"# 7no1 !"# 'us rans'i !"ir
d"ar"s +$"d%"s. So'" !"r" ar", 1!o !ou%! !"#
$"ad a sin%$" $if", #" !"ir !ou%!s do "nd 1i!
!"'s"$&"s, and accoun fuur" i'"s i'+"ri2
n"nc"s. Na#, !"r" ar" so'" o!"r, !a accoun
1if" and c!i$dr"n, *u as *i$$s of c!ar%"s. Na#
'or", !"r" ar" so'" foo$is! ric! co&"ous '"n,
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 16/124
!a a7" a +rid", in !a&in% no c!i$dr"n, *"caus"
!"# 'a# *" !ou%! so 'uc! !" ric!"r. For +"r2
!a+s !"# !a&" !"ard so'" a$7, Suc! an on" is a
%r"a ric! 'an, and ano!"r "c"+ o i, Y"a, *u
!" !a! a %r"a c!ar%" of c!i$dr"n6 as if i 1"r" an
a*a"'"n o !is ric!"s. Bu !" 'os ordinar#
caus" of a sin%$" $if", is $i*"r#, "s+"cia$$# in c"rain
s"$f2+$"asin% and !u'orous 'inds, 1!ic! ar" so
s"nsi*$" of "&"r# r"srain, as !"# 1i$$ %o n"ar o
!in7 !"ir %ird$"s and %ar"rs, o *" *onds and
s!ac7$"s. Un'arri"d '"n ar" *"s fri"nds, *"s
'as"rs, *"s s"r&ans6 *u no a$1a#s *"s su*2
;"cs6 for !"# ar" $i%! o run a1a#6 and a$'os
a$$ fu%ii&"s, ar" of !a condiion. A sin%$" $if"
do! 1"$$ 1i! c!urc!'"n6 for c!ari# 1i$$ !ard$#
1a"r !" %round, 1!"r" i 'us firs fi$$ a +oo$. I
is indiff"r"n for ;ud%"s and 'a%isra"s6 for if
!"# *" faci$" and corru+, #ou s!a$$ !a&" a s"r2
&an, fi&" i'"s 1ors" !an a 1if". For so$di"rs, I
find !" %"n"ra$s co''on$# in !"ir !orai&"s,
+u '"n in 'ind of !"ir 1i&"s and c!i$dr"n6 andI !in7 !" d"s+isin% of 'arria%" a'on%s !"
Tur7s, 'a7"! !" &u$%ar so$di"r 'or" *as". C"r2
ain$# 1if" and c!i$dr"n ar" a 7ind of disci+$in"
of !u'ani#6 and sin%$" '"n, !ou%! !"# 'a#
*" 'an# i'"s 'or" c!aria*$", *"caus" !"ir
'"ans ar" $"ss "!aus, #", on !" o!"r sid", !"#
ar" 'or" cru"$ and !ard!"ar"d 8%ood o 'a7"
s"&"r" in0uisiors9, *"caus" !"ir "nd"rn"ss is no
so of ca$$"d u+on. )ra&" naur"s, $"d *# cuso',
and !"r"for" consan, ar" co''on$# $o&in% !us2
*ands, as 1as said of U$#ss"s, &"u$a' sua' +ra"u2
$i i''ora$iai. C!as" 1o'"n ar" of"n +roud
and fro1ard, as +r"su'in% u+on !" '"ri of !"ir
c!asi#. I is on" of !" *"s *onds, *o! of c!asi#
and o*"di"nc", in !" 1if", if s!" !in7 !"r !us2
*and 1is"6 1!ic! s!" 1i$$ n"&"r do, if s!" find !i'
;"a$ous. i&"s ar" #oun% '"n-s 'isr"ss"s6 co'2
+anions for 'idd$" a%"6 and o$d '"n-s nurs"s. So
as a 'an 'a# !a&" a 0uarr"$ o 'arr#, 1!"n !"
1i$$. Bu #" !" 1as r"+u"d on" of !" 1is" '"n,
!a 'ad" ans1"r o !" 0u"sion, 1!"n a 'an
s!ou$d 'arr#, 2 A #oun% 'an no #", an "$d"r
'an no a a$$. I is of"n s""n !a *ad !us*ands,
!a&" &"r# %ood 1i&"s6 1!"!"r i *", !a i rais"!
!" +ric" of !"ir !us*and-s 7indn"ss, 1!"n i
co'"s6 or !a !" 1i&"s a7" a +rid" in !"ir
+ai"nc". Bu !is n"&"r fai$s, if !" *ad !us*ands1"r" of !"ir o1n c!oosin%, a%ains !"ir fri"nds-
cons"n6 for !"n !"# 1i$$ *" sur" o 'a7" %ood
!"ir o1n fo$$#.
Of En&#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 17/124
THERE *" non" of !" aff"cions, 1!ic! !a&"
*""n no"d o fascina" or *"1ic!, *u $o&"
and "n&#. T!"# *o! !a&" &"!"'"n 1is!"s6 !"#
fra'" !"'s"$&"s r"adi$# ino i'a%inaions and
su%%"sions6 and !"# co'" "asi$# ino !" "#",
"s+"cia$$# u+on !" +r"s"n of !" o*;"cs6 1!ic!
ar" !" +oins !a conduc" o fascinaion, if an#
suc! !in% !"r" *". " s"" $i7"1is", !" Scri+ur"
ca$$"! "n&# an "&i$ "#"6 and !" asro$o%"rs, ca$$
!" "&i$ inf$u"nc"s of !" sars, "&i$ as+"cs6 so !a
si$$ !"r" s""'"! o *" ac7no1$"d%"d, in !" ac
of "n&#, an ";acu$aion or irradiaion of !" "#".
Na#, so'" !a&" *""n so curious, as o no", !a
!" i'"s 1!"n !" sro7" or +"rcussion of an "n&i2
ous "#" do! 'os !ur, ar" 1!"n !" +ar# "n&i"d
is *"!"$d in %$or# or riu'+!6 for !a s"s an "d%"
u+on "n and *"sid"s, a suc! i'"s !" s+iris
of !" +"rson "n&i"d, do co'" for! 'os ino !"ou1ard +ars, and so '"" !" *$o1.
Bu $"a&in% !"s" curiosii"s 8!ou%! no un2
1or!# o *" !ou%! on, in fi +$ac"9, 1" 1i$$
!and$", 1!a +"rsons ar" a+ o "n&# o!"rs6 1!a
+"rsons ar" 'os su*;"c o *" "n&i"d !"'s"$&"s6
and 1!a is !" diff"r"nc" *"1""n +u*$ic and
+ri&a" "n&#.
A 'an !a !a! no &iru" in !i's"$f, "&"r "n2
&i"! &iru" in o!"rs. For '"n-s 'inds, 1i$$ "i!"r
f""d u+on !"ir o1n %ood, or u+on o!"rs- "&i$6 and
1!o 1an"! !" on", 1i$$ +r"# u+on !" o!"r6
and 1!oso is ou of !o+", o aain o ano!"r-s
&iru", 1i$$ s""7 o co'" a "&"n !and, *# d"+r"ss2
in% ano!"r-s forun".
A 'an !a is *us#, and in0uisii&", is co'2
'on$# "n&ious. For o 7no1 'uc! of o!"r '"n-s
'a"rs, canno *" *"caus" a$$ !a ado 'a# con2
c"rn !is o1n "sa"6 !"r"for" i 'us n""ds *",
!a !" a7"! a 7ind of +$a#2+$"asur", in $oo7in%
u+on !" forun"s of o!"rs. N"i!"r can !", !a
'ind"! *u !is o1n *usin"ss, find 'uc! 'a"r
for "n&#. For "n&# is a %addin% +assion, and 1a$72
"! !" sr""s, and do! no 7""+ !o'"5 Non "scuriosus, 0uin id"' si 'a$"&o$us.
M"n of no*$" *ir!, ar" no"d o *" "n&ious
o1ards n"1 '"n, 1!"n !"# ris". For !" disanc"
is a$"r"d, and i is $i7" a d"c"i of !" "#", !a
1!"n o!"rs co'" on, !"# !in7 !"'s"$&"s, %o
*ac7.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 18/124
D"for'"d +"rsons, and "unuc!s, and o$d '"n,
and *asards, ar" "n&ious. For !" !a canno +os2
si*$# '"nd !is o1n cas", 1i$$ do 1!a !" can, o
i'+air ano!"r-s6 "c"+ !"s" d"f"cs $i%! u+on
a &"r# *ra&", and !"roica$ naur", 1!ic! !in7"!
o 'a7" !is naura$ 1ans +ar of !is !onor6 in !a
i s!ou$d *" said, !a an "unuc!, or a $a'" 'an,
did suc! %r"a 'a"rs6 aff"cin% !" !onor of a
'irac$"6 as i 1as in Nars"s !" "unuc!, and A%"si2
$aus and Ta'*"r$an"s, !a 1"r" $a'" '"n.
T!" sa'" is !" cas" of '"n, !a ris" af"r ca2
$a'ii"s and 'isforun"s. For !"# ar" as '"n
fa$$"n ou 1i! !" i'"s6 and !in7 o!"r '"n-s
!ar's, a r"d"'+ion of !"ir o1n suff"rin%s.
T!"# !a d"sir" o "c"$ in oo 'an# 'a"rs,
ou of $"&i# and &ain %$or#, ar" "&"r "n&ious. For
!"# canno 1an 1or76 i *"in% i'+ossi*$", *u
'an#, in so'" on" of !os" !in%s, s!ou$d sur+ass!"'. !ic! 1as !" c!arac"r of Adrian !" E'2
+"ror6 !a 'ora$$# "n&i"d +o"s, and +ain"rs,
and arific"rs, in 1or7s 1!"r"in !" !ad a &"in o
"c"$.
Las$#, n"ar 7insfo$7s, and f"$$o1s in offic", and
!os" !a !a&" *""n *r"d o%"!"r, ar" 'or" a+
o "n&# !"ir "0ua$s, 1!"n !"# ar" rais"d. For i
do! u+*raid uno !"' !"ir o1n forun"s, and
+oin"! a !"', and co'"! of"n"r ino !"ir
r"'"'*ranc", and incurr"! $i7"1is" 'or" ino
!" no" of o!"rs6 and "n&# "&"r r"dou*$"! fro'
s+""c! and fa'". Cain-s "n&# 1as !" 'or" &i$"
and 'a$i%nan, o1ards !is *ro!"r A*"$, *"caus"
1!"n !is sacrific" 1as *""r acc"+"d, !"r" 1as
no *od# o $oo7 on. T!us 'uc! for !os", !a ar"
a+ o "n&#.
Conc"rnin% !os" !a ar" 'or" or $"ss su*;"c
o "n Firs, +"rsons of "'in"n &iru", 1!"n
!"# ar" ad&anc"d, ar" $"ss "n&i"d. For !"ir for2
un" s""'"! , *u du" uno !"'6 and no 'an
"n&i"! !" +a#'"n of a d"*, *u r"1ards and
$i*"ra$i# ra!"r. A%ain, "n&# is "&"r ;oin"d 1i!
!" co'+arin% of a 'an-s s"$f6 and 1!"r" !"r" is
no co'+arison, no "n and !"r"for" 7in%s ar"
no "n&i"d, *u *# 7in%s. N"&"r!"$"ss i is o *"no"d, !a un1or!# +"rsons ar" 'os "n&i"d, a
!"ir firs co'in% in, and af"r1ards o&"rco'" i
*""r6 1!"r"as conrari1is", +"rsons of 1or!
and '"ri ar" 'os "n&i"d, 1!"n !"ir forun"
coninu"! $on%. For *# !a i'", !ou%! !"ir
&iru" *" !" sa'", #" i !a! no !" sa'" $usr"6
for fr"s! '"n %ro1 u+ !a dar7"n i.
("rsons of no*$" *$ood, ar" $"ss "n&i"d in !"ir
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 19/124
risin%. For i s""'"! *u ri%! don" o !"ir *ir!.
B"sid"s, !"r" s""'"! no 'uc! add"d o !"ir
forun"6 and "n&# is as !" sun*"a's, !a *"a
!o"r u+on a *an7, or s""+ risin% %round, !an
u+on a f$a. And for !" sa'" r"ason, !os" !a ar"
ad&anc"d *# d"%r""s, ar" $"ss "n&i"d !an !os"
!a ar" ad&anc"d sudd"n$# and +"r sa$u'.
T!os" !a !a&" ;oin"d 1i! !"ir !onor %r"a
ra&"$s, car"s, or +"ri$s, ar" $"ss su*;"c o "n&#.
For '"n !in7 !a !"# "arn !"ir !onors !ard$#,
and +i# !"' so'"i'"s6 and +i# "&"r !"a$"!
"n&#. !"r"for" #ou s!a$$ o*s"r&", !a !" 'or"
d""+ and so*"r sor of +o$iic +"rsons, in !"ir
%r"aa"ss, ar" "&"r *"'oanin% !"'s"$&"s, 1!a
a $if" !"# $"ad6 c!anin% a 0uana +ai'ur= No
!a !"# f""$ i so, *u on$# o a*a" !" "d%" of
"n&#. Bu !is is o *" und"rsood, of *usin"ss !a
is $aid u+on '"n, and no suc!, as !"# ca$$ uno
!"'s"$&"s. For no!in% incr"as"! "n&# 'or",
!an an unn"c"ssar# and a'*iious "n%rossin% of*usin"ss. And no!in% do! "in%uis! "n&# 'or",
!an for a %r"a +"rson o +r"s"r&" a$$ o!"r inf"2
rior offic"rs, in !"ir fu$$ $i%!s and +r"2"'in"nc"s
of !"ir +$ac"s. For *# !a '"ans, !"r" *" so
'an# scr""ns *"1""n !i' and "n&#.
A*o&" a$$, !os" ar" 'os su*;"c o "n&#, 1!ic!
carr# !" %r"an"ss of !"ir forun"s, in an inso$"n
and +roud 'ann"r6 *"in% n"&"r 1"$$, *u 1!i$"
!"# ar" s!o1in% !o1 %r"a !"# ar", "i!"r *#
ou1ard +o'+, or *# riu'+!in% o&"r a$$ o++osi2
ion or co'+"iion6 1!"r"as 1is" '"n 1i$$ ra!"r
do sacrific" o "n&#, in suff"rin% !"'s"$&"s so'"2
i'"s of +ur+os" o *" cross"d, and o&"r*orn" in
!in%s !a do no 'uc! conc"rn !"'. No1i!2
sandin%, so 'uc! is ru", !a !" carria%" of
%r"an"ss, in a +$ain and o+"n 'ann"r 8so i *"
1i!ou arro%anc# and &ain %$or#9 do! dra1 $"ss
"n&#, !an if i *" in a 'or" craf# and cunnin%
fas!ion. For in !a cours", a 'an do! *u dis2
a&o1 forun"6 and s""'"! o *" conscious of !is
o1n 1an in 1or!6 and do! *u "ac! o!"rs, o
"n&# !i'.
Las$#, o conc$ud" !is +ar6 as 1" said in !"
*"%innin%, !a !" ac of "n&# !ad so'"1!a in
i of 1ic!craf, so !"r" is no o!"r cur" of "n&#,*u !" cur" of 1ic!craf6 and !a is, o r"'o&"
!" $o 8as !"# ca$$ i9 and o $a# i u+on ano!"r.
For 1!ic! +ur+os", !" 1is"r sor of %r"a +"rsons,
*rin% in "&"r u+on !" sa%" so'"*od# u+on 1!o'
o d"ri&" !" "n&#, !a 1ou$d co'" u+on !"'2
s"$&"s6 so'"i'"s u+on 'inis"rs and s"r&ans6
so'"i'"s u+on co$$"a%u"s and associa"s6 and !"
$i7"6 and for !a urn !"r" ar" n"&"r 1anin%,
so'" +"rsons of &io$"n and und"ra7in% naur"s,
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 20/124
1!o, so !"# 'a# !a&" +o1"r and *usin"ss, 1i$$
a7" i a an# cos.
No1, o s+"a7 of +u*$ic "n&#. T!"r" is #" so'"
%ood in +u*$ic "n&#, 1!"r"as in +ri&a", !"r" is
non". For +u*$ic "n&#, is as an osracis', !a
"c$i+s"! '"n, 1!"n !"# %ro1 oo %r"a. And
!"r"for" i is a *rid$" a$so o %r"a on"s, o 7""+
!"' 1i!in *ounds.
T!is "n&#, *"in% in !" Lain 1ord in&idia,
%o"! in !" 'od"rn $an%ua%", *# !" na'" of
discon"n'"n6 of 1!ic! 1" s!a$$ s+"a7, in !and2
$in% s"diion. I is a dis"as", in a sa", $i7" o inf"c2
ion. For as inf"cion s+r"ad"! u+on !a 1!ic! is
sound, and ain"! i6 so 1!"n "n&# is %o"n onc"
ino a sa", i raduc"! "&"n !" *"s acions
!"r"of, and urn"! !"' ino an i$$ odor. And
!"r"for" !"r" is $i$" 1on, *# in"r'in%$in% of
+$ausi*$" acions. For !a do! ar%u" *u a 1"a72
n"ss, and f"ar of "n&#, 1!ic! !ur"! so 'uc! !"'or", as i is $i7"1is" usua$ in inf"cions6 1!ic!
if #ou f"ar !"', #ou ca$$ !"' u+on #ou.
T!is +u*$ic "n&#, s""'"! o *"a c!i"f$# u+on
+rinci+a$ offic"rs or 'inis"rs, ra!"r !an u+on
7in%s, and "sa"s !"'s"$&"s. Bu !is is a sur"
ru$", !a if !" "n&# u+on !" 'inis"r *" %r"a,
1!"n !" caus" of i in !i' is s'a$$6 or if !" "n&#
*" %"n"ra$, in a 'ann"r u+on a$$ !" 'inis"rs of
an "sa"6 !"n !" "n&# 8!ou%! !idd"n9 is ru$#
u+on !" sa" is"$f. And so 'uc! of +u*$ic "n&#
or discon"n'"n, and !" diff"r"nc" !"r"of fro'
+ri&a" "n&#, 1!ic! 1as !and$"d in !" firs +$ac".
" 1i$$ add !is in %"n"ra$, ouc!in% !" aff"c2
ion of "n !a of a$$ o!"r aff"cions, i is !"
'os i'+orun" and coninua$. For of o!"r aff"c2
ions, !"r" is occasion %i&"n, *u no1 and !"n6
and !"r"for" i 1as 1"$$ said, In&idia f"sos di"s
non a%i5 for i is "&"r 1or7in% u+on so'" or o!"r.
And i is a$so no"d, !a $o&" and "n&# do 'a7" a
'an +in", 1!ic! o!"r aff"cions do no, *"caus"
!"# ar" no so coninua$. I is a$so !" &i$"s aff"c2
ion, and !" 'os d"+ra&"d6 for 1!ic! caus" i
is !" +ro+"r ari*u" of !" d"&i$, 1!o is ca$$"d,
!" "n&ious 'an, !a so1"! ar"s a'on%s !"
1!"a *# ni%!6 as i a$1a#s co'"! o +ass, !a"n&# 1or7"! su*i$$#, and in !" dar7, and o !"
+r";udic" of %ood !in%s, suc! as is !" 1!"a.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 21/124
Of Lo&"
THE sa%" is 'or" *"!o$din% o $o&", !an !"
$if" of 'an. For as o !" sa%", $o&" is "&"r
'a"r of co'"di"s, and no1 and !"n of ra%"di"s6
*u in $if" i do! 'uc! 'isc!i"f6 so'"i'"s $i7" a
sir"n, so'"i'"s $i7" a fur#. You 'a# o*s"r&", !a
a'on%s a$$ !" %r"a and 1or!# +"rsons 81!"r"of
!" '"'or# r"'ain"!, "i!"r anci"n or r"c"n9
!"r" is no on", !a !a! *""n rans+or"d o
!" 'ad d"%r"" of $o&"5 1!ic! s!o1s !a %r"a
s+iris, and %r"a *usin"ss, do 7""+ ou !is 1"a7
+assion. You 'us "c"+, n"&"r!"$"ss, Marcus
Anonius, !" !a$f +arn"r of !" "'+ir" of Ro'",
and A++ius C$audius, !" d"c"'&ir and $a1%i&"r6
1!"r"of !" for'"r 1as ind""d a &o$u+uous 'an,
and inordina"6 *u !" $a"r 1as an aus"r" and
1is" 'an5 and !"r"for" i s""'s 8!ou%! rar"$#9!a $o&" can find "nranc", no on$# ino an o+"n
!"ar, *u a$so ino a !"ar 1"$$ forifi"d, if 1ac!
*" no 1"$$ 7"+. I is a +oor sa#in% of E+icurus,
Sais 'a%nu' a$"r a$"ri !"aru' su'us6 as if
'an, 'ad" for !" con"'+$aion of !"a&"n, and
a$$ no*$" o*;"cs, s!ou$d do no!in% *u 7n""$ *"2
for" a $i$" ido$, and 'a7" !i's"$f a su*;"c,
!ou%! no of !" 'ou! 8as *"ass ar"9, #" of !"
"#"6 1!ic! 1as %i&"n !i' for !i%!"r +ur+os"s. I
is a sran%" !in%, o no" !" "c"ss of !is +assion,
and !o1 i *ra&"s !" naur", and &a$u" of !in%s,
*# !is6 !a !" s+"a7in% in a +"r+"ua$ !#+"r2
*o$", is co'"$# in no!in% *u in $o&". N"i!"r is i
'"r"$# in !" +!ras"6 for 1!"r"as i !a! *""n
1"$$ said, !a !" arc!2f$a"r"r, 1i! 1!o' a$$
!" +"# f$a"r"rs !a&" in"$$i%"nc", is a 'an-s
s"$f6 c"rain$# !" $o&"r is 'or". For !"r" 1as
n"&"r +roud 'an !ou%! so a*surd$# 1"$$ of !i'2
s"$f, as !" $o&"r do! of !" +"rson $o&"d6 and
!"r"for" i 1as 1"$$ said, T!a i is i'+ossi*$" o
$o&", and o *" 1is". N"i!"r do! !is 1"a7n"ss
a++"ar o o!"rs on$#, and no o !" +ar# $o&"d6
*u o !" $o&"d 'os of a$$, "c"+ !" $o&" *" r"ci2
+ro0u". For i is a ru" ru$", !a $o&" is "&"r r"2
1ard"d, "i!"r 1i! !" r"ci+ro0u", or 1i! an
in1ard and s"cr" con"'+. B# !o1 'uc! !"
'or", '"n ou%! o *"1ar" of !is +assion, 1!ic!$os"! no on$# o!"r !in%s, *u is"$f= As for !"
o!"r $oss"s, !" +o"-s r"$aion do! 1"$$ fi%ur"
!"'5 !a !" !a +r"f"rr"d H"$"na, 0ui"d !"
%ifs of 3uno and (a$$as. For 1!oso"&"r "s""'"!
oo 'uc! of a'orous aff"cion, 0ui"! *o! ric!"s
and 1isdo'. T!is +assion !a! !is f$oods, in &"r#
i'"s of 1"a7n"ss6 1!ic! ar" %r"a +ros+"ri#, and
%r"a ad&"rsi#6 !ou%! !is $a"r !a! *""n $"ss
o*s"r&"d5 *o! 1!ic! i'"s 7ind$" $o&", and 'a7"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 22/124
i 'or" f"r&"n, and !"r"for" s!o1 i o *" !"
c!i$d of fo$$#. T!"# do *"s, 1!o if !"# canno *u
ad'i $o&", #" 'a7" i 7""+ 0uar"rs6 and s"&"r i
1!o$$# fro' !"ir s"rious affairs, and acions, of
$if"6 for if i c!"c7 onc" 1i! *usin"ss, i rou*$"!
'"n-s forun"s, and 'a7"! '"n, !a !"# can no
1a#s *" ru" o !"ir o1n "nds. I 7no1 no !o1,
*u 'aria$ '"n ar" %i&"n o $o&"5 I !in7, i is *u
as !"# ar" %i&"n o 1in"6 for +"ri$s co''on$# as7
o *" +aid in +$"asur"s. T!"r" is in 'an-s naur", a
s"cr" inc$inaion and 'oion, o1ards $o&" of
o!"rs, 1!ic! if i *" no s+"n u+on so'" on" or a
f"1, do! naura$$# s+r"ad is"$f o1ards 'an#,
and 'a7"! '"n *"co'" !u'an" and c!aria*$"6
as i is s""n so'"i'" in friars. Nu+ia$ $o&" 'a7"!
'an7ind6 fri"nd$# $o&" +"rf"c"! i6 *u 1anon
$o&" corru+"!, and "'*as"! i.
Of )r"a ($ac"
MEN in %r"a +$ac" ar" !ric" s"r&ans5 s"r2
&ans of !" so&"r"i%n or sa"6 s"r&ans of
fa'"6 and s"r&ans of *usin"ss. So as !"# !a&" no
fr""do'6 n"i!"r in !"ir +"rsons, nor in !"ir ac2
ions, nor in !"ir i'"s. I is a sran%" d"sir", o
s""7 +o1"r and o $os" $i*"r#5 or o s""7 +o1"r
o&"r o!"rs, and o $os" +o1"r o&"r a 'an-s s"$f.
T!" risin% uno +$ac" is $a*orious6 and *# +ains,
'"n co'" o %r"a"r +ains6 and i is so'"i'"s
*as"6 and *# indi%nii"s, '"n co'" o di%nii"s.
T!" sandin% is s$i++"r#, and !" r"%r"ss is "i!"r
a do1nfa$$, or a $"as an "c$i+s", 1!ic! is a '"$an2
c!o$# !in%. Cu' non sis 0ui fu"ris, non "ss" cur
&"$is &i&"r". Na#, r"ir" '"n canno 1!"n !"#
1ou$d, n"i!"r 1i$$ !"#, 1!"n i 1"r" r"ason6 *u
ar" i'+ai"n of +ri&a"n"ss, "&"n in a%" and sic72
n"ss, 1!ic! r"0uir" !" s!ado16 $i7" o$d o1ns2
'"n, !a 1i$$ *" si$$ siin% a !"ir sr"" door,
!ou%! !"r"*# !"# off"r a%" o sco'. C"rain$#
%r"a +"rsons !ad n""d o *orro1 o!"r '"n-s
o+inions, o !in7 !"'s"$&"s !a++#6 for if !"#
;ud%" *# !"ir o1n f""$in%, !"# canno find i6 *u
if !"# !in7 1i! !"'s"$&"s, 1!a o!"r '"n!in7 of !"', and !a o!"r '"n 1ou$d fain *",
as !"# ar", !"n !"# ar" !a++#, as i 1"r", *#
r"+or6 1!"n +"r!a+s !"# find !" conrar#
1i!in. For !"# ar" !" firs, !a find !"ir o1n
%ri"fs, !ou%! !"# *" !" $as, !a find !"ir
o1n fau$s. C"rain$# '"n in %r"a forun"s ar"
sran%"rs o !"'s"$&"s, and 1!i$" !"# ar" in !"
+u<<$" of *usin"ss, !"# !a&" no i'" o "nd !"ir
!"a$!, "i!"r of *od# or 'ind. I$$i 'ors %ra&is
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 23/124
incu*a, 0ui nous ni'is o'ni*us, i%nous 'oriur
si*i. In +$ac", !"r" is $ic"ns" o do %ood, and "&i$6
1!"r"of !" $a"r is a curs"5 for in "&i$, !" *"s
condiion is no o 1in6 !" s"cond, no o can. Bu
+o1"r o do %ood, is !" ru" and $a1fu$ "nd of
as+irin%. For %ood !ou%!s 8!ou%! )od acc"+
!"'9 #", o1ards '"n, ar" $i$" *""r !an %ood
dr"a's, "c"+ !"# *" +u in ac6 and !a canno
*", 1i!ou +o1"r and +$ac", as !" &ana%", and
co''andin% %round. M"ri and %ood 1or7s, is
!" "nd of 'an-s 'oion6 and consci"nc" of !"
sa'" is !" acco'+$is!'"n of 'an-s r"s. For if a
'an can *" +ara7"r of )od-s !"ar", !" s!a$$ $i7"2
1is" *" +ara7"r of )od-s r"s. E con&"rsus D"us,
u as+ic"r" o+"ra 0ua" f"c"run 'anus sua", &idi
0uod o'nia "ss"n *ona ni'is6 and !"n !" sa*2
*a!. In !" disc!ar%" of !# +$ac", s" *"for" !""
!" *"s "a'+$"s6 for i'iaion is a %$o*" of +r"2
c"+s. And af"r a i'", s" *"for" !"" !in" o1n
"a'+$"6 and "a'in" !#s"$f sric$#, 1!"!"r
!ou dids no *"s a firs. N"%$"c no a$so !""a'+$"s, of !os" !a !a&" carri"d !"'s"$&"s
i$$, in !" sa'" +$ac"6 no o s" off !#s"$f, *# a2
in% !"ir '"'or#, *u o dir"c !#s"$f, 1!a o
a&oid. R"for' !"r"for", 1i!ou *ra&"r#, or scan2
da$ of for'"r i'"s and +"rsons6 *u #" s" i do1n
o !#s"$f, as 1"$$ o cr"a" %ood +r"c"d"ns, as o
fo$$o1 !"'. R"duc" !in%s o !" firs insiuion,
and o*s"r&" 1!"r"in, and !o1, !"# !a&" d"%"n2
"ra"6 *u #" as7 couns"$ of *o! i'"s6 of !"
anci"n i'", 1!a is *"s6 and of !" $a"r i'",
1!a is fi"s. S""7 o 'a7" !# cours" r"%u$ar,
!a '"n 'a# 7no1 *"for"!and, 1!a !"# 'a#
"+"c6 *u *" no oo +osii&" and +"r"'+or#6
and "+r"ss !#s"$f 1"$$, 1!"n !ou di%r"ss"s
fro' !# ru$". (r"s"r&" !" ri%! of !# +$ac"6 *u
sir no 0u"sions of ;urisdicion6 and ra!"r as2
su'" !# ri%!, in si$"nc" and d" faco, !an &oic"
i 1i! c$ai's, and c!a$$"n%"s. (r"s"r&" $i7"1is"
!" ri%!s of inf"rior +$ac"s6 and !in7 i 'or"
!onor, o dir"c in c!i"f, !an o *" *us# in a$$.
E'*rac" and in&i" !"$+s, and ad&ic"s, ouc!in%
!" ""cuion of !# +$ac"6 and do no dri&" a1a#
suc!, as *rin% !"" infor'aion, as '"dd$"rs6 *u
acc"+ of !"' in %ood +ar. T!" &ic"s of au!ori#
ar" c!i"f$# four5 d"$a#s, corru+ion, rou%!n"ss,
and faci$i#. For d"$a#s5 %i&" "as# acc"ss6 7""+
i'"s a++oin"d6 %o !rou%! 1i! !a 1!ic! is in!and, and in"r$ac" no *usin"ss, *u of n"c"ssi#.
For corru+ion5 do no on$# *ind !in" o1n !ands,
or !# s"r&ans- !ands, fro' a7in%, *u *ind !"
!ands of suiors a$so, fro' off"rin%. For in"%ri#
us"d do! !" on"6 *u in"%ri# +rof"ss"d, and
1i! a 'anif"s d""saion of *ri*"r#, do! !"
o!"r. And a&oid no on$# !" fau$, *u !" sus2
+icion. !oso"&"r is found &aria*$", and c!an%"!
'anif"s$# 1i!ou 'anif"s caus", %i&"! sus2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 24/124
+icion of corru+ion. T!"r"for" a$1a#s, 1!"n !ou
c!an%"s !in" o+inion or cours", +rof"ss i +$ain$#,
and d"c$ar" i, o%"!"r 1i! !" r"asons !a 'o&"
!"" o c!an%"6 and do no !in7 o s"a$ i. A
s"r&an or a fa&ori", if !" *" in1ard, and no
o!"r a++ar"n caus" of "s""', is co''on$#
!ou%!, *u a *#21a# o c$os" corru+ion. For
rou%!n"ss5 i is a n""d$"ss caus" of discon"n5
s"&"ri# *r""d"! f"ar, *u rou%!n"ss *r""d"!
!a". E&"n r"+roofs fro' au!ori#, ou%! o *"
%ra&", and no aunin%. As for faci$i#5 i is 1ors"
!an *ri*"r#. For *ri*"s co'" *u no1 and !"n6
*u if i'+oruni#, or id$" r"s+"cs, $"ad a 'an, !"
s!a$$ n"&"r *" 1i!ou. As So$o'on sai!, To r"2
s+"c +"rsons is no %ood6 for suc! a 'an 1i$$
rans%r"ss for a +i"c" of *r"ad. I is 'os ru", !a
1as anci"n$# s+o7"n, A +$ac" s!o1"! !" 'an.
And i s!o1"! so'" o !" *""r, and so'" o !"
1ors". O'niu' cons"nsu ca+a i'+"rii, nisi i'2
+"rass", sai! Tacius of )a$*a6 *u of V"s+asian!" sai!, So$us i'+"raniu', V"s+asianus 'uaus
in '"$ius6 !ou%! !" on" 1as '"an of suffici"nc#,
!" o!"r of 'ann"rs, and aff"cion. I is an assur"d
si%n of a 1or!# and %"n"rous s+iri, 1!o' !onor
a'"nds. For !onor is, or s!ou$d *", !" +$ac" of
&iru"6 and as in naur", !in%s 'o&" &io$"n$# o
!"ir +$ac", and ca$'$# in !"ir +$ac", so &iru" in
a'*iion is &io$"n, in au!ori# s"$"d and ca$'.
A$$ risin% o %r"a +$ac" is *# a 1indin% sar6 and
if !"r" *" facions, i is %ood o sid" a 'an-s s"$f,
1!i$s !" is in !" risin%, and o *a$anc" !i's"$f
1!"n !" is +$ac"d. Us" !" '"'or# of !# +r"d"2
c"ssor, fair$# and "nd"r$#6 for if !ou dos no, i is
a d"* 1i$$ sur" *" +aid 1!"n !ou ar %on". If
!ou !a&" co$$"a%u"s, r"s+"c !"', and ra!"r ca$$
!"', 1!"n !"# $oo7 no for i, !an "c$ud"
!"' , 1!"n !"# !a&" r"ason o $oo7 o *" ca$$"d.
B" no oo s"nsi*$", or oo r"'"'*"rin%, of !#
+$ac" in con&"rsaion, and +ri&a" ans1"rs o
suiors6 *u $" i ra!"r *" said, !"n !" sis in
+$ac", !" is ano!"r 'an.
Of Bo$dn"ss
IT IS a ri&ia$ %ra''ar2sc!oo$ ", *u #"
1or!# a 1is" 'an-s consid"raion. >u"sion
1as as7"d of D"'os!"n"s, 1!a 1as !" c!i"f
+ar of an oraor: !" ans1"r"d, acion6 1!a n":
acion6 1!a n" a%ain: acion. H" said i, !a
7n"1 i *"s, and !ad, *# naur", !i's"$f no ad2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 25/124
&ana%" in !a !" co''"nd"d. A sran%" !in%,
!a !a +ar of an oraor, 1!ic! is *u su+"rficia$,
and ra!"r !" &iru" of a +$a#"r, s!ou$d *" +$ac"d
so !i%!, a*o&" !os" o!"r no*$" +ars, of in&"nion,
"$ocuion, and !" r"s6 na#, a$'os a$on", as if i
1"r" a$$ in a$$. Bu !" r"ason is +$ain. T!"r" is in
!u'an naur" %"n"ra$$#, 'or" of !" foo$ !an of
!" 1is"6 and !"r"for" !os" facu$i"s, *# 1!ic!
!" foo$is! +ar of '"n-s 'inds is a7"n, ar" 'os
+o"n. ond"rfu$ $i7" is !" cas" of *o$dn"ss in
ci&i$ *usin"ss5 1!a firs: *o$dn"ss6 1!a s"cond
and !ird: *o$dn"ss. And #" *o$dn"ss is a c!i$d of
i%noranc" and *as"n"ss, far inf"rior o o!"r +ars.
Bu n"&"r!"$"ss i do! fascina", and *ind !and
and foo, !os" !a ar" "i!"r s!a$$o1 in ;ud%2
'"n, or 1"a7 in coura%", 1!ic! ar" !" %r"a"s
+ar6 #"a and +r"&ai$"! 1i! 1is" '"n a 1"a7
i'"s. T!"r"for" 1" s"" i !a! don" 1ond"rs, in
+o+u$ar sa"s6 *u 1i! s"na"s, and +rinc"s $"ss6
and 'or" "&"r u+on !" firs "nranc" of *o$d +"r2
sons ino acion, !an soon af"r6 for *o$dn"ss is ani$$ 7""+"r of +ro'is". Sur"$#, as !"r" ar" 'oun"2
*an7s for !" naura$ *od#, so ar" !"r" 'oun"2
*an7s for !" +o$iic *od#6 '"n !a und"ra7"
%r"a cur"s, and +"r!a+s !a&" *""n $uc7#, in 1o
or !r"" "+"ri'"ns, *u 1an !" %rounds of
sci"nc", and !"r"for" canno !o$d ou. Na#, #ou
s!a$$ s"" a *o$d f"$$o1 'an# i'"s do Ma!o'"-s
'irac$". Ma!o'" 'ad" !" +"o+$" *"$i"&" !a
!" 1ou$d ca$$ an !i$$ o !i', and fro' !" o+ of i
off"r u+ !is +ra#"rs, for !" o*s"r&"rs of !is $a1.
T!" +"o+$" ass"'*$"d6 Ma!o'" ca$$"d !" !i$$ o
co'" o !i', a%ain and a%ain6 and 1!"n !" !i$$
sood si$$, !" 1as n"&"r a 1!i a*as!"d, *u said,
If !" !i$$ 1i$$ no co'" o Ma!o'", Ma!o'"
1i$$ %o o !" !i$$. So !"s" '"n, 1!"n !"# !a&"
+ro'is"d %r"a 'a"rs, and fai$"d 'os s!a'"2
fu$$#, #" 8if !"# !a&" !" +"rf"cion of *o$dn"ss9
!"# 1i$$ *u s$i%! i o&"r, and 'a7" a urn, and
no 'or" ado. C"rain$# o '"n of %r"a ;ud%'"n,
*o$d +"rsons ar" a s+or o *"!o$d6 na#, and o !"
&u$%ar a$so, *o$dn"ss !as so'"1!a of !" ridicu2
$ous. For if a*surdi# *" !" su*;"c of $au%!"r,
dou* #ou no *u %r"a *o$dn"ss is s"$do' 1i!ou
so'" a*surdi#. Es+"cia$$# i is a s+or o s"", 1!"n
a *o$d f"$$o1 is ou of coun"nanc"6 for !a +us
!is fac" ino a 'os s!run7"n, and 1ood"n +os2
ur"6 as n""ds i 'us6 for in *as!fu$n"ss, !" s+irisdo a $i$" %o and co'"6 *u 1i! *o$d '"n, u+on
$i7" occasion, !"# sand a a sa#6 $i7" a sa$" a
c!"ss, 1!"r" i is no 'a", *u #" !" %a'" canno
sir. Bu !is $as 1"r" fi"r for a sair" !an for a
s"rious o*s"r&aion. T!is is 1"$$ o *" 1"i%!"d6
!a *o$dn"ss is "&"r *$ind6 for i s""! no dan%"r,
and incon&"ni"nc"s. T!"r"for" i is i$$ in couns"$,
%ood in ""cuion6 so !a !" ri%! us" of *o$d +"r2
sons is, !a !"# n"&"r co''and in c!i"f, *u *"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 26/124
s"conds, and und"r !" dir"cion of o!"rs. For in
couns"$, i is %ood o s"" dan%"rs6 and in ""cuion,
no o s"" !"', "c"+ !"# *" &"r# %r"a.
Of )oodn"ss
? )OODNESS OF NATURE
I TA/E %oodn"ss in !is s"ns", !" aff"cin% of
!" 1"a$ of '"n, 1!ic! is !a !" )r"cians
ca$$ +!i$an!ro+ia6 and !" 1ord !u'ani# 8as
i is us"d9 is a $i$" oo $i%! o "+r"ss i. )ood2n"ss I ca$$ !" !a*i, and %oodn"ss of naur", !"
inc$inaion. T!is of a$$ &iru"s, and di%nii"s of !"
'ind, is !" %r"a"s6 *"in% !" c!arac"r of !"
D"i#5 and 1i!ou i, 'an is a *us#, 'isc!i"&ous,
1r"c!"d !in%6 no *""r !an a 7ind of &"r'in.
)oodn"ss ans1"rs o !" !"o$o%ica$ &iru", c!ar2
i#, and ad'is no "c"ss, *u "rror. T!" d"sir" of
+o1"r in "c"ss, caus"d !" an%"$s o fa$$6 !" d"sir"
of 7no1$"d%" in "c"ss, caus"d 'an o fa$$5 *u in
c!ari# !"r" is no "c"ss6 n"i!"r can an%"$, nor
'an, co'" in dan %"r *# i. T!" inc$inaion o %ood2
n"ss, is i'+rin"d d""+$# in !" naur" of 'an6 in2
so'uc!, !a if i issu" no o1ards '"n, i 1i$$
a7" uno o!"r $i&in% cr"aur"s6 as i is s""n in !"
Tur7s, a cru"$ +"o+$", 1!o n"&"r!"$"ss ar" 7ind
o *"ass, and %i&" a$'s, o do%s and *irds6 inso2
'uc!, as Bus*"c!ius r"+or"!, a C!risian *o#, in
Consanino+$", !ad $i7" o !a&" *""n son"d, for
%a%%in% in a 1a%%is!n"ss a $on%2*i$$"d fo1$.
Errors ind""d in !is &iru" of %oodn"ss, or c!ari#,
'a# *" co''i"d. T!" Ia$ians !a&" an un%ra2
cious +ro&"r*, Tano *uon c!" &a$ ni"n"5 so
%ood, !a !" is %ood for no!in%. And on" of
!" docors of Ia$#, Nic!o$as Mac!ia&"$, !ad
!" confid"nc" o +u in 1riin%, a$'os in +$ain
"r's, T!a !" C!risian fai!, !ad %i&"n u+ %ood
'"n, in +r"# o !os" !a ar" #rannica$ and un2;us. !ic! !" s+a7", *"caus" ind""d !"r" 1as
n"&"r $a1, or s"c, or o+inion, did so 'uc! 'a%2
nif# %oodn"ss, as !" C!risian r"$i%ion do!.
T!"r"for", o a&oid !" scanda$ and !" dan%"r
*o!, i is %ood, o a7" 7no1$"d%" of !" "rrors of
an !a*i so "c"$$"n. S""7 !" %ood of o!"r '"n,
*u *" no in *onda%" o !"ir fac"s or fanci"s6 for
!a is *u faci$i#, or sofn"ss6 1!ic! a7"! an
!on"s 'ind +rison"r. N"i!"r %i&" !ou AEso+-s
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 27/124
coc7 a %"', 1!o 1ou$d *" *""r +$"as"d, and !a+2
+i"r, if !" !ad !ad a *ar$"#2corn. T!" "a'+$" of
)od, "ac!"! !" $"sson ru$#5 H" s"nd"! !is rain,
and 'a7"! !is sun o s!in", u+on !" ;us and
un;us6 *u !" do! no rain 1"a$!, nor s!in"
!onor and &iru"s, u+on '"n "0ua$$#. Co''on
*"n"fis, ar" o *" co''unica" 1i! a$$6 *u +"2
cu$iar *"n"fis, 1i! c!oic". And *"1ar" !o1 in
'a7in% !" +orraiur", !ou *r"a7"s !" +a"rn.
For di&ini#, 'a7"! !" $o&" of ours"$&"s !" +a2
"rn6 !" $o&" of our n"i%!*ors, *u !" +orraiur".
S"$$ a$$ !ou !as, and %i&" i o !" +oor, and fo$2
$o1 '"5 *u, s"$$ no a$$ !ou !as, "c"+ !ou
co'" and fo$$o1 '"6 !a is, "c"+ !ou !a&" a
&ocaion, 1!"r"in !ou 'a#"s do as 'uc! %ood,
1i! $i$" '"ans as 1i! %r"a6 for o!"r1is", in
f""din% !" sr"a's, !ou dri"s !" founain.
N"i!"r is !"r" on$# a !a*i of %oodn"ss, dir"c"d
*# ri%! r"ason6 *u !"r" is in so'" '"n, "&"n in
naur", a dis+osiion o1ards i6 as on !" o!"r
sid", !"r" is a naura$ 'a$i%ni#. For !"r" *",!a in !"ir naur" do no aff"c !" %ood of o!"rs.
T!" $i%!"r sor of 'a$i%ni#, urn"! *u o a
crassn"ss, or fro1ardn"ss, or a+n"ss o o++os", or
difficu$i"s, or !" $i7"6 *u !" d""+"r sor, o "n&#
and '"r" 'isc!i"f. Suc! '"n, in o!"r '"n-s ca2
$a'ii"s, ar", as i 1"r", in s"ason, and ar" "&"r on
!" $oadin% +ar5 no so %ood as !" do%s, !a $ic7"d
La<arus- sor"s6 *u $i7" f$i"s, !a ar" si$$ *u<<in%
u+on an# !in% !a is ra16 'isan!ro+i, !a
'a7" i !"ir +racic", o *rin% '"n o !" *ou%!,
and #" n"&"r a r"" for !" +ur+os" in !"ir %ar2
d"ns, as Ti'on !ad. Suc! dis+osiions, ar" !" &"r#
"rrors of !u'an naur"6 and #" !"# ar" !" fi"s
i'*"r, o 'a7" %r"a +o$iics of6 $i7" o 7n"" i'2
*"r, !a is %ood for s!i+s, !a ar" ordain"d o *"
oss"d6 *u no for *ui$din% !ous"s, !a s!a$$ sand
fir'. T!" +ars and si%ns of %oodn"ss, ar" 'an#. If
a 'an *" %racious and cour"ous o sran%"rs, i
s!o1s !" is a cii<"n of !" 1or$d, and !a !is !"ar
is no is$and, cu off fro' o!"r $ands, *u a coni2
n"n, !a ;oins o !"'. If !" *" co'+assiona"
o1ards !" aff$icions of o!"rs, i s!o1s !a !is
!"ar is $i7" !" no*$" r"", !a is 1ound"d is"$f,
1!"n i %i&"s !" *a$'. If !" "asi$# +ardons, and
r"'is off"nc"s, i s!o1s !a !is 'ind is +$an"d
a*o&" in;uri"s6 so !a !" canno *" s!o. If !" *"
!an7fu$ for s'a$$ *"n"fis, i s!o1s !a !" 1"i%!s'"n-s 'inds, and no !"ir ras!. Bu a*o&" a$$, if
!" !a&" S. (au$-s +"rf"cion, !a !" 1ou$d 1is!
o *" ana!"'a fro' C!ris, for !" sa$&aion of
!is *r"!r"n, i s!o1s 'uc! of a di&in" naur", and
a 7ind of confor'i# 1i! C!ris !i's"$f
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 28/124
Of No*i$i#
E ILL s+"a7 of no*i$i#, firs as a +orion
of an "sa", !"n as a condiion of +aricu2
$ar +"rsons. A 'onarc!#, 1!"r" !"r" is no no*i$2
i# a a$$, is "&"r a +ur" and a*so$u" #rann#6 as
!a of !" Tur7s. For no*i$i# a"'+"rs so&"r2
"i%n#, and dra1s !" "#"s of !" +"o+$", so'"1!a
asid" fro' !" $in" ro#a$. Bu for d"'ocraci"s,
!"# n""d i no6 and !"# ar" co''on$# 'or"
0ui", and $"ss su*;"c o s"diion, !an 1!"r" !"r"
ar" sir+s of no*$"s. For '"n-s "#"s ar" u+on !"
*usin"ss, and no u+on !" +"rsons6 or if u+on !"
+"rsons, i is for !" *usin"ss- sa7", as fi"s, and
no for f$a%s and +"di%r"". " s"" !" S1i<"rs $as
1"$$, no1i!sandin% !"ir di&"rsi# of r"$i%ion,
and of canons. For ui$i# is !"ir *ond, and no
r"s+"cs. T!" uni"d +ro&inc"s of !" Lo1 Coun2
ri"s, in !"ir %o&"rn'"n, "c"$6 for 1!"r" !"r"is an "0ua$i#, !" consu$aions ar" 'or" indif2
f"r"n, and !" +a#'"ns and ri*u"s, 'or"
c!""rfu$. A %r"a and +o"n no*i$i#, add"!
'a;"s# o a 'onarc!, *u di'inis!"! +o1"r6
and +u"! $if" and s+iri ino !" +"o+$", *u
+r"ss"! !"ir forun". I is 1"$$, 1!"n no*$"s ar"
no oo %r"a for so&"r"i%n# nor for ;usic"6 and
#" 'ainain"d in !a !"i%!, as !" inso$"nc# of
inf"riors 'a# *" *ro7"n u+on !"', *"for" i co'"
on oo fas u+on !" 'a;"s# of 7in%s. A nu'"rous
no*i$i# caus"! +o&"r#, and incon&"ni"nc" in a
sa"6 for i is a surc!ar%" of "+"ns"6 and *"sid"s,
i *"in% of n"c"ssi#, !a 'an# of !" no*i$i# fa$$,
in i'", o *" 1"a7 in forun", i 'a7"! a 7ind of
dis+ro+orion, *"1""n !onor and '"ans.
As for no*i$i# in +aricu$ar +"rsons6 i is a r"&2
"r"nd !in%, o s"" an anci"n cas$" or *ui$din%,
no in d"ca#6 or o s"" a fair i'*"r r"", sound and
+"rf"c. Ho1 'uc! 'or", o *"!o$d an anci"n
no*$" fa'i$#, 1!ic! !as sood a%ains !" 1a&"s
and 1"a!"rs of i'"= For n"1 no*i$i# is *u !"
ac of +o1"r, *u anci"n no*i$i# is !" ac of i'".
T!os" !a ar" firs rais"d o no*i$i#, ar" co'2
'on$# 'or" &iruous, *u $"ss innoc"n, !an !"ir
d"sc"ndans6 for !"r" is rar"$# an# risin%, *u *#
a co''iur" of %ood and "&i$ ars. Bu i is r"ason,!" '"'or# of !"ir &iru"s r"'ain o !"ir +os2
"ri#, and !"ir fau$s di" 1i! !"'s"$&"s. No*i$2
i# of *ir! co''on$# a*a"! indusr#6 and !"
!a is no indusrious, "n&i"! !i' !a is. B"sid"s,
no*$" +"rsons canno %o 'uc! !i%!"r6 and !" !a
sand"! a a sa#, 1!"n o!"rs ris", can !ard$#
a&oid 'oions of "n&#. On !" o!"r sid", no*i$2
i# "in%uis!"! !" +assi&" "n&# fro' o!"rs,
o1ards !"'6 *"caus" !"# ar" in +oss"ssion of
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 29/124
!onor. C"rain$#, 7in%s !a !a&" a*$" '"n of
!"ir no*i$i#, s!a$$ find "as" in "'+$o#in% !"',
and a *""r s$id" ino !"ir *usin"ss6 for +"o+$"
naura$$# *"nd o !"', as *orn in so'" sor o
co''and.
Of S"diions
AND TROUBLES
SHE(HERDS of +"o+$", !ad n""d 7no1 !"
ca$"ndars of "'+"ss in sa"6 1!ic! ar" co'2
'on$# %r"a"s, 1!"n !in%s %ro1 o "0ua$i#6 as
naura$ "'+"ss ar" %r"a"s a*ou !" E0uinoc2
ia. And as !"r" ar" c"rain !o$$o1 *$ass of 1ind,and s"cr" s1"$$in%s of s"as *"for" a "'+"s, so
ar" !"r" in sa"s5
22I$$" "ia' ca"cos insar" u'u$us
Sa"+" 'on", fraud"s0u" " o+"ra un"sc"r" *"$$a.
Li*"$s and $ic"nious discours"s a%ains !" sa",
1!"n !"# ar" fr"0u"n and o+"n6 and in $i7" sor,
fa$s" n"1s of"n runnin% u+ and do1n, o !" dis2
ad&ana%" of !" sa", and !asi$# "'*rac"d6 ar"
a'on%s !" si%ns of rou*$"s. Vir%i$, %i&in% !"
+"di%r"" of Fa'", sai!, s!" 1as sis"r o !" )ians5
I$$a' T"rra +ar"ns, irra irriaa d"oru',
Er"'a' 8u +"r!i*"n9 Co"o Enc"$ado0u" soror"'
(ro%"nui.2
As if fa'"s 1"r" !" r"$ics of s"diions +as6 *u
!"# ar" no $"ss, ind""d, !" +r"$ud"s of s"diions o
co'". Ho1so"&"r !" no"! i ri%!, !a s"diious
u'u$s, and s"diious fa'"s, diff"r no 'or" *u
as *ro!"r and sis"r, 'ascu$in" and f"'inin"6 "s2
+"cia$$# if i co'" o !a, !a !" *"s acions ofa sa", and !" 'os +$ausi*$", and 1!ic! ou%!
o %i&" %r"a"s con"n'"n, ar" a7"n in i$$ s"ns",
and raduc"d5 for !a s!o1s !" "n&# %r"a, as
Tacius sai!6 conf$aa 'a%na in&idia, s"u *"n"
s"u 'a$" %"sa +r"'un. N"i!"r do! i fo$$o1,
!a *"caus" !"s" fa'"s ar" a si%n of rou*$"s, !a
!" su++r"ssin% of !"' 1i! oo 'uc! s"&"ri#,
s!ou$d *" a r"'"d# of rou*$"s. For !" d"s+isin%
of !"', 'an# i'"s c!"c7s !"' *"s6 and !"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 30/124
%oin% a*ou o so+ !"', do! *u 'a7" a 1ond"r
$on%2$i&"d. A$so !a 7ind of o*"di"nc", 1!ic!
Tacius s+"a7"! of, is o *" !"$d sus+"c"d5 Eran
in officio, s"d a'"n 0ui 'a$$"n 'andaa i'+"2
raniu' in"r+r"ari 0ua' ""0ui6 dis+uin%, "2
cusin%, ca&i$$in% u+on 'anda"s and dir"cions, is
a 7ind of s!a7in% off !" #o7", and assa# of dis2
o*"di"nc"6 "s+"cia$$# if in !os" dis+uin%s, !"#
1!ic! ar" for !" dir"cion, s+"a7 f"arfu$$# and
"nd"r$#, and !os" !a ar" a%ains i, audacious$#.
A$so, as Mac!ia&"$ no"! 1"$$, 1!"n +rinc"s,
!a ou%! o *" co''on +ar"ns, 'a7" !"'2
s"$&"s as a +ar#, and $"an o a sid", i is as a *oa,
!a is o&"r!ro1n *# un"&"n 1"i%! on !" on"
sid"6 as 1as 1"$$ s""n, in !" i'" of H"nr# !"
T!ird of Franc"6 for firs, !i's"$f "n"r"d $"a%u"
for !" "ir+aion of !" (ro"sans6 and +r"s2
"n$# af"r, !" sa'" $"a%u" 1as urn"d u+on !i'2
s"$f. For 1!"n !" au!ori# of +rinc"s, is 'ad"
*u an acc"ssor# o a caus", and !a !"r" *" o!"r*ands, !a i" fas"r !an !" *and of so&"r"i%n#,
7in%s *"%in o *" +u a$'os ou of +oss"ssion.
A$so, 1!"n discords, and 0uarr"$s, and facions
ar" carri"d o+"n$# and audacious$#, i is a si%n !"
r"&"r"nc" of %o&"rn'"n is $os. For !" 'oions
of !" %r"a"s +"rsons in a %o&"rn'"n, ou%! o
*" as !" 'oions of !" +$an"s und"r +ri'u'
'o*i$"6 accordin% o !" o$d o+inion5 1!ic! is,
!a "&"r# of !"', is carri"d s1if$# *# !"
!i%!"s 'oion, and sof$# in !"ir o1n 'oion.
And !"r"for", 1!"n %r"a on"s in !"ir o1n
+aricu$ar 'oion, 'o&" &io$"n$#, and, as Tacius
"+r"ss"! i 1"$$, $i*"rius 0ua' u i'+"ran2
iu' '"'iniss"n6 i is a si%n !" or*s ar" ou
of fra'". For r"&"r"nc" is !a, 1!"r"1i! +rinc"s
ar" %ir fro' )od6 1!o !r"a"n"! !" disso$&in%
!"r"of6 So$&a' cin%u$a r"%u'.
So 1!"n an# of !" four +i$$ars of %o&"rn'"n,
ar" 'ain$# s!a7"n, or 1"a7"n"d 81!ic! ar" r"$i%2
ion, ;usic", couns"$, and r"asur"9, '"n !ad n""d
o +ra# for fair 1"a!"r. Bu $" us +ass fro' !is
+ar of +r"dicions 8conc"rnin% 1!ic!, n"&"r!"2
$"ss, 'or" $i%! 'a# *" a7"n fro' !a 1!ic!
fo$$o1"!96 and $" us s+"a7 firs, of !" 'a"ria$sof s"diions6 !"n of !" 'oi&"s of !"'6 and
!ird$# of !" r"'"di"s.
Conc"rnin% !" 'a"ria$s of s"diions. I is a
!in% 1"$$ o *" consid"r"d6 for !" sur"s 1a# o
+r"&"n s"diions 8if !" i'"s do *"ar i9 is o a7"
a1a# !" 'a"r of !"'. For if !"r" *" fu"$ +r"2
+ar"d, i is !ard o "$$, 1!"nc" !" s+ar7 s!a$$
co'", !a s!a$$ s" i on fir". T!" 'a"r of s"di2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 31/124
ions is of 1o 7inds5 'uc! +o&"r#, and 'uc! dis2
con"n'"n. I is c"rain, so 'an# o&"r!ro1n
"sa"s, so 'an# &o"s for rou*$"s. Lucan no"!
1"$$ !" sa" of Ro'" *"for" !" Ci&i$ ar,
Hinc usura &ora, ra+idu'0u" in "'+or" fo"nus,
Hinc concussa fid"s, " 'u$is ui$" *"$$u'.
T!is sa'" 'u$is ui$" *"$$u', is an assur"d and
infa$$i*$" si%n, of a sa" dis+os"d o s"diions and
rou*$"s. And if !is +o&"r# and *ro7"n "sa" in
!" *""r sor, *" ;oin"d 1i! a 1an and n"c"ssi#
in !" '"an +"o+$", !" dan%"r is i''in"n and
%r"a. For !" r"*"$$ions of !" *"$$# ar" !" 1ors.
As for discon"n'"ns, !"# ar", in !" +o$iic
*od#, $i7" o !u'ors in !" naura$, 1!ic! ar" a+
o %a!"r a +r""rnaura$ !"a, and o inf$a'".
And $" no +rinc" '"asur" !" dan%"r of !"' *#
!is, 1!"!"r !"# *" ;us or un;us5 for !a 1"r"o i'a%in" +"o+$", o *" oo r"asona*$"6 1!o do
of"n s+urn a !"ir o1n %ood5 nor #" *# !is,
1!"!"r !" %ri"fs 1!"r"u+on !"# ris", *" in fac
%r"a or s'a$$5 for !"# ar" !" 'os dan%"rous
discon"n'"ns, 1!"r" !" f"ar is %r"a"r !an
!" f""$in%. Do$"ndi 'odus, i'"ndi non i"'.
B"sid"s, in %r"a o++r"ssions, !" sa'" !in%s !a
+ro&o7" !" +ai"nc", do 1i!a$ 'a" !" coura%"6
*u in f"ars i is no so. N"i!"r $" an# +rinc", or
sa", *" s"cur" conc"rnin% discon"n'"ns, *"2
caus" !"# !a&" *""n of"n, or !a&" *""n $on%, and
#" no +"ri$ !a! "nsu"d5 for as i is ru", !a "&"r#
&a+or or fu'" do! no urn ino a sor'6 so i is
n"&"r!"$"ss ru", !a sor's, !ou%! !"# *$o1
o&"r di&"rs i'"s, #" 'a# fa$$ a $as6 and, as !"
S+anis! +ro&"r* no"! 1"$$, T!" cord *r"a7"! a
!" $as *# !" 1"a7"s +u$$.
T!" caus"s and 'oi&"s of s"diions ar", inno&a2
ion in r"$i%ion6 a"s6 a$"raion of $a1s and cus2
o's6 *r"a7in% of +ri&i$"%"s6 %"n"ra$ o++r"ssion6
ad&anc"'"n of un1or!# +"rsons6 sran%"rs6
d"ar!s6 dis*and"d so$di"rs6 facions %ro1n d"s2
+"ra"6 and 1!a so"&"r, in off"ndin% +"o+$",
;oin"! and 7ni"! !"' in a co''on caus".
For !" r"'"di"s6 !"r" 'a# *" so'" %"n"ra$+r"s"r&ai&"s, 1!"r"of 1" 1i$$ s+"a75 as for !"
;us cur", i 'us ans1"r o !" +aricu$ar dis"as"6
and so *" $"f o couns"$, ra!"r !an ru$".
T!" firs r"'"d# or +r"&"nion is o r"'o&", *#
a$$ '"ans +ossi*$", !a 'a"ria$ caus" of s"diion
1!"r"of 1" s+a7"6 1!ic! is, 1an and +o&"r# in
!" "sa". To 1!ic! +ur+os" s"r&"! !" o+"nin%,
and 1"$$2*a$ancin% of rad"6 !" c!"ris!in% of
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 32/124
'anufacur"s6 !" *anis!in% of id$"n"ss6 !" r"2
+r"ssin% of 1as", and "c"ss, *# su'+uar# $a1s6
!" i'+ro&"'"n and !us*andin% of !" soi$6 !"
r"%u$ain% of +ric"s of !in%s &"ndi*$"6 !" 'od"r2
ain% of a"s and ri*u"s6 and !" $i7". )"n"ra$$#,
i is o *" for"s""n !a !" +o+u$aion of a 7in%2
do' 8"s+"cia$$# if i *" no 'o1n do1n *# 1ars9
do no "c""d !" soc7 of !" 7in%do', 1!ic!
s!ou$d 'ainain !"'. N"i!"r is !" +o+u$aion
o *" r"c7on"d on$# *# nu'*"r6 for a s'a$$"r nu'2
*"r, !a s+"nd 'or" and "arn $"ss, do 1"ar ou an
"sa" soon"r, !an a %r"a"r nu'*"r !a $i&"
$o1"r, and %a!"r 'or". T!"r"for" !" 'u$i+$#2
in% of no*i$i#, and o!"r d"%r""s of 0ua$i#, in an
o&"r +ro+orion o !" co''on +"o+$", do! s+""d2
i$# *rin% a sa" o n"c"ssi#6 and so do! $i7"1is"
an o&"r%ro1n c$"r%#6 for !"# *rin% no!in% o
!" soc76 and in $i7" 'ann"r, 1!"n 'or" ar" *r"d
sc!o$ars, !an +r"f"r'"ns can a7" off .
I is $i7"1is" o *" r"'"'*"r"d, !a foras'uc!
as !" incr"as" of an# "sa" 'us *" u+on !"
for"i%n"r 8for 1!aso"&"r is so'"1!"r" %o"n, is
so'"1!"r" $os9, !"r" *" *u !r"" !in%s, 1!ic!
on" naion s"$$"! uno ano!"r6 !" co''odi# as
naur" #i"$d"! i6 !" 'anufacur"6 and !" &"c2
ur", or carria%". So !a if !"s" !r"" 1!""$s %o,
1"a$! 1i$$ f$o1 as in a s+rin% id". And i co'"!
'an# i'"s o +ass, !a 'a"ria' su+"ra*i o+us6
!a !" 1or7 and carria%" is 'or" 1or! !an !"
'a"ria$, and "nric!"! a sa" 'or"6 as is noa*$#
s""n in !" Lo12Counr#'"n, 1!o !a&" !" *"s
'in"s a*o&" %round, in !" 1or$d.
A*o&" a$$ !in%s, %ood +o$ic# is o *" us"d, !a
!" r"asur" and 'on"#s, in a sa", *" no %a!2
"r"d ino f"1 !ands. For o!"r1is" a sa" 'a#
!a&" a %r"a soc7, and #" sar&". And 'on"# is
$i7" 'uc7, no %ood "c"+ i *" s+r"ad. T!is is
don", c!i"f$# *# su++r"ssin%, or a $"as 7""+in%
a srai !and, u+on !" d"&ourin% rad"s of usur#,
in%rossin% %r"a +asura%"s, and !" $i7".
For r"'o&in% discon"n'"ns, or a $"as !"
dan%"r of !"'6 !"r" is in "&"r# sa" 8as 1"
7no19 1o +orions of su*;"cs6 !" no*$"ss" and
!" co''ona$#. !"n on" of !"s" is discon"n,!" dan%"r is no %r"a6 for co''on +"o+$" ar" of
s$o1 'oion, if !"# *" no "ci"d *# !" %r"a"r
sor6 and !" %r"a"r sor ar" of s'a$$ sr"n%!,
"c"+ !" 'u$iud" *" a+, and r"ad# o 'o&" of
!"'s"$&"s. T!"n is !" dan%"r, 1!"n !" %r"a"r
sor, do *u 1ai for !" rou*$in% of !" 1a"rs
a'on%s !" '"an"r, !a !"n !"# 'a# d"c$ar"
!"'s"$&"s. T!" +o"s f"i%n, !a !" r"s of !"
%ods 1ou$d !a&" *ound 3u+i"r6 1!ic! !" !"arin%
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 33/124
of, *# !" couns"$ of (a$$as, s"n for Briar"us, 1i!
!is !undr"d !ands, o co'" in o !is aid. An "'2
*$"', no dou*, o s!o1 !o1 saf" i is for 'on2
arc!s, o 'a7" sur" of !" %ood 1i$$ of co''on
+"o+$". To %i&" 'od"ra" $i*"r# for %ri"fs and dis2
con"n'"ns o "&a+ora" 8so i *" 1i!ou oo
%r"a inso$"nc# or *ra&"r#9, is a saf" 1a#. For !"
!a urn"! !" !u'ors *ac7, and 'a7"! !"
1ound *$""d in1ards, "ndan%"r"! 'a$i%n u$c"rs,
and +"rnicious i'+os!u'aions.
T!" +ar of E+i'"!"us 'ou%! 1"$$ *"co'"
(ro'"!"us, in !" cas" of discon"n'"ns5 for
!"r" is no a *""r +ro&ision a%ains !"'. E+i'"2
!"us, 1!"n %ri"fs and "&i$s f$"1 a*road, a $as
s!u !" $id, and 7"+ !o+" in !" *oo' of !"
&"ss"$. C"rain$#, !" +o$iic and arificia$ nouris!2
in%, and "n"rainin% of !o+"s, and carr#in% '"n
fro' !o+"s o !o+"s, is on" of !" *"s anido"s
a%ains !" +oison of discon"n'"ns. And i is a
c"rain si%n of a 1is" %o&"rn'"n and +roc""din%,1!"n i can !o$d '"n-s !"ars *# !o+"s, 1!"n i
canno *# saisfacion6 and 1!"n i can !and$"
!in%s, in suc! 'ann"r, as no "&i$ s!a$$ a++"ar so
+"r"'+or#, *u !a i !a! so'" ou$" of !o+"6
1!ic! is !" $"ss !ard o do, *"caus" *o! +aricu2
$ar +"rsons and facions, ar" a+ "nou%! o f$a"r
!"'s"$&"s, or a $"as o *ra&" !a, 1!ic! !"#
*"$i"&" no.
A$so !" for"si%! and +r"&"nion, !a !"r" *"
no $i7"$# or fi !"ad, 1!"r"uno discon"n"d +"r2
sons 'a# r"sor, and und"r 1!o' !"# 'a# ;oin,
is a 7no1n, *u an "c"$$"n +oin of cauion. I
und"rsand a fi !"ad, o *" on" !a !a! %r"a2
n"ss and r"+uaion6 !a !a! confid"nc" 1i!
!" discon"n"d +ar#, and u+on 1!o' !"# urn
!"ir "#"s6 and !a is !ou%! discon"n"d, in !is
o1n +aricu$ar5 1!ic! 7ind of +"rsons, ar" "i!"r
o *" 1on, and r"conci$"d o !" sa", and !a in
a fas and ru" 'ann"r6 or o *" fron"d 1i! so'"
o!"r, of !" sa'" +ar#, !a 'a# o++os" !"',
and so di&id" !" r"+uaion. )"n"ra$$#, !" di&id2
in% and *r"a7in%, of a$$ facions and co'*inaions
!a ar" ad&"rs" o !" sa", and s"in% !"' a
disanc", or a $"as disrus, a'on%s !"'s"$&"s,
is no on" of !" 1ors r"'"di"s. For i is a d"s+"r2
a" cas", if !os" !a !o$d 1i! !" +roc""din% of!" sa", *" fu$$ of discord and facion, and !os"
!a ar" a%ains i, *" "nir" and uni"d.
I !a&" no"d, !a so'" 1i# and s!ar+
s+""c!"s, 1!ic! !a&" fa$$"n fro' +rinc"s, !a&"
%i&"n fir" o s"diions. Ca"sar did !i's"$f infini"
!ur in !a s+""c!, S#$$a n"sci&i $i"ras, non +o2
ui dicar"6 for i did u"r$# cu off !a !o+",
1!ic! '"n !ad "n"rain"d, !a !" 1ou$d a on"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 34/124
i'" or o!"r %i&" o&"r !is dicaors!i+. )a$*a un2
did !i's"$f *# !a s+""c!, $"%i a s" 'i$i"', non
"'i6 for i +u !" so$di"rs ou of !o+" of !" dona2
i&". (ro*us $i7"1is", *# !a s+""c!, Si &i"ro,
non o+us "ri a'+$ius Ro'ano i'+"rio 'i$ii*us6
a s+""c! of %r"a d"s+air for !" so$di"rs. And
'an# !" $i7". Sur"$# +rinc"s !ad n""d, in "nd"r
'a"rs and ic7$is! i'"s, o *"1ar" 1!a !"#
sa#6 "s+"cia$$# in !"s" s!or s+""c!"s, 1!ic! f$#
a*road $i7" dars, and ar" !ou%! o *" s!o ou of
!"ir s"cr" in"nions. For as for $ar%" discours"s,
!"# ar" f$a !in%s, and no so 'uc! no"d.
Las$#, $" +rinc"s, a%ains a$$ "&"ns, no *"
1i!ou so'" %r"a +"rson, on" or ra!"r 'or", of
'i$iar# &a$or, n"ar uno !"', for !" r"+r"ssin%
of s"diions in !"ir *"%innin%s. For 1i!ou !a,
!"r" us"! o *" 'or" r"+idaion in cour u+on
!" firs *r"a7in% ou of rou*$"s, !an 1"r" fi.And !" sa" runn"! !" dan%"r of !a 1!ic!
Tacius sai!6 A0u" is !a*ius ani'oru' fui, u
+"ssi'u' facinus aud"r"n +auci, +$ur"s &"$$"n,
o'n"s +a"r"nur. Bu $" suc! 'i$iar# +"rsons *"
assur"d, and 1"$$ r"+u"d of, ra!"r !an facious
and +o+u$ar6 !o$din% a$so %ood corr"s+ond"nc"
1i! !" o!"r %r"a '"n in !" sa"6 or "$s" !"
r"'"d#, is 1ors" !an !" dis"as".
Of A!"is'
I HAD ra!"r *"$i"&" a$$ !" fa*$"s in !" L"%2
"nd, and !" Ta$'ud, and !" A$coran, !an
!a !is uni&"rsa$ fra'" is 1i!ou a 'ind.
And !"r"for", )od n"&"r 1rou%! 'irac$", o
con&inc" a!"is', *"caus" !is ordinar# 1or7s con2
&inc" i. I is ru", !a a $i$" +!i$oso+!# inc$in"!
'an-s 'ind o a!"is'6 *u d"+! in +!i$oso+!#
*rin%"! '"n-s 'inds a*ou o r"$i%ion. For 1!i$"
!" 'ind of 'an $oo7"! u+on s"cond caus"s sca2
"r"d, i 'a# so'"i'"s r"s in !"', and %o nofur!"r6 *u 1!"n i *"!o$d"! !" c!ain of !"',
conf"d"ra" and $in7"d o%"!"r, i 'us n""ds f$#
o (ro&id"nc" and D"i#. Na#, "&"n !a sc!oo$
1!ic! is 'os accus"d of a!"is' do! 'os d"'2
onsra" r"$i%ion6 !a is, !" sc!oo$ of L"uci++us
and D"'ocrius and E+icurus. For i is a !ousand
i'"s 'or" cr"di*$", !a four 'ua*$" "$"'"ns,
and on" i''ua*$" fif! "ss"nc", du$# and ""r2
na$$# +$ac"d, n""d no )od, !an !a an ar'# of
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 35/124
infini" s'a$$ +orions, or s""ds un+$ac"d, s!ou$d
!a&" +roduc"d !is ord"r and *"au#, 1i!ou a
di&in" 'ars!a$. T!" Scri+ur" sai!, T!" foo$ !a!
said in !is !"ar, !"r" is no )od6 i is no said, T!"
foo$ !a! !ou%! in !is !"ar6 so as !" ra!"r sai!
i, *# ro" o !i's"$f, as !a !" 1ou$d !a&", !an
!a !" can !orou%!$# *"$i"&" i, or *" +"rsuad"d
of i. For non" d"n#, !"r" is a )od, *u !os", for
1!o' i 'a7"! !a !"r" 1"r" no )od. I a+2
+"ar"! in no!in% 'or", !a a!"is' is ra!"r in
!" $i+, !an in !" !"ar of 'an, !an *# !is6 !a
a!"iss 1i$$ "&"r *" a$7in% of !a !"ir o+inion,
as if !"# fain"d in i, 1i!in !"'s"$&"s, and
1ou$d *" %$ad o *" sr"n%!"n"d, *# !" cons"n
of o!"rs. Na# 'or", #ou s!a$$ !a&" a!"iss sri&"
o %" disci+$"s, as i far"! 1i! o!"r s"cs. And,
1!ic! is 'os of a$$, #ou s!a$$ !a&" of !"', !a
1i$$ suff"r for a!"is', and no r"can6 1!"r"as if
!"# did ru$# !in7, !a !"r" 1"r" no suc! !in%
as )od, 1!# s!ou$d !"# rou*$" !"'s"$&"s: E+i2
curus is c!ar%"d, !a !" did *u diss"'*$" for !iscr"di-s sa7", 1!"n !" affir'"d !"r" 1"r" *$"ss"d
naur"s, *u suc! as "n;o#"d !"'s"$&"s, 1i!ou
!a&in% r"s+"c o !" %o&"rn'"n of !" 1or$d.
!"r"in !"# sa# !" did "'+ori<"6 !ou%! in
s"cr", !" !ou%! !"r" 1as no )od. Bu c"rain$#
!" is raduc"d6 for !is 1ords ar" no*$" and di&in"5
Non d"os &u$%i n"%ar" +rofanu'6 s"d &u$%i o+ini2
on"s diis a++$icar" +rofanu'. ($ao cou$d !a&"
said no 'or". And a$!ou%! !" !ad !" confid"nc",
o d"n# !" ad'inisraion, !" !ad no !" +o1"r,
o d"n# !" naur". T!" Indians of !" "s, !a&"
na'"s for !"ir +aricu$ar %ods, !ou%! !"# !a&"
no na'" for )od5 as if !" !"a!"ns s!ou$d !a&"
!ad !" na'"s 3u+i"r, A+o$$o, Mars, "c., *u no
!" 1ord D"us6 1!ic! s!o1s !a "&"n !os" *ar2
*arous +"o+$" !a&" !" noion, !ou%! !"# !a&"
no !" $aiud" and ""n of i. So !a a%ains
a!"iss, !" &"r# sa&a%"s a7" +ar, 1i! !" &"r#
su*$"s +!i$oso+!"rs. T!" con"'+$ai&" a!"is is
rar"5 a Dia%oras, a Bion, a Lucian +"r!a+s, and
so'" o!"rs6 and #" !"# s""' o *" 'or" !an
!"# ar"6 for !a a$$ !a i'+u%n a r"c"i&"d r"2
$i%ion, or su+"rsiion, ar" *# !" ad&"rs" +ar
*rand"d 1i! !" na'" of a!"iss. Bu !" %r"a
a!"iss, ind""d ar" !#+ocri"s6 1!ic! ar" "&"r
!and$in% !o$# !in%s, *u 1i!ou f""$in%6 so as
!"# 'us n""ds *" cau"ri<"d in !" "nd. T!"
caus"s of a!"is' ar"5 di&isions in r"$i%ion, if !"#
*" 'an#6 for an# on" 'ain di&ision, add"! <"a$ o
*o! sid"s6 *u 'an# di&isions inroduc" a!"is'.
Ano!"r is, scanda$ of +ri"ss6 1!"n i is co'" o
!a 1!ic! S. B"rnard sai!, non "s ;a' dic"r",
u +o+u$us sic sac"rdos6 0uia n"c sic +o+u$us u
sac"rdos. A !ird is, cuso' of +rofan" scoffin% in
!o$# 'a"rs6 1!ic! do!, *# $i$" and $i$", d"2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 36/124
fac" !" r"&"r"nc" of r"$i%ion. And $as$#, $"arn"d
i'"s, s+"cia$$# 1i! +"ac" and +ros+"ri#6 for
rou*$"s and ad&"rsii"s do 'or" *o1 '"n-s 'inds
o r"$i%ion. T!"# !a d"n# a )od, d"sro# 'an-s
no*i$i#6 for c"rain$# 'an is of 7in o !" *"ass,
*# !is *od#6 and, if !" *" no of 7in o )od, *# !is
s+iri, !" is a *as" and i%no*$" cr"aur". I d"sro#s
$i7"1is" 'a%nani'i#, and !" raisin% of !u'an
naur"6 for a7" an "a'+$" of a do%, and 'ar7
1!a a %"n"rosi# and coura%" !" 1i$$ +u on,
1!"n !" finds !i's"$f 'ainain"d *# a 'an6 1!o
o !i' is ins"ad of a )od, or '"$ior naura6 1!ic!
coura%" is 'anif"s$# suc!, as !a cr"aur", 1i!2
ou !a confid"nc" of a *""r naur" !an !is o1n,
cou$d n"&"r aain. So 'an, 1!"n !" r"s"! and
assur"! !i's"$f, u+on di&in" +ro"cion and
fa&or, %a!"r"d a forc" and fai!, 1!ic! !u'an
naur" in is"$f cou$d no o*ain. T!"r"for", as
a!"is' is in a$$ r"s+"cs !a"fu$, so in !is, !a i
d"+ri&"! !u'an naur" of !" '"ans o "a$ i2
s"$f, a*o&" !u'an frai$#. As i is in +aricu$ar+"rsons, so i is in naions. N"&"r 1as !"r" suc! a
sa" for 'a%nani'i# as Ro'". Of !is sa" !"ar
1!a Cic"ro sai!5 >ua' &o$u'us $ic", +ar"s con2
scri+i, nos a'"'us, a'"n n"c nu'"ro His+anos,
n"c ro*or" )a$$os, n"c ca$$idia" (o"nos, n"c ari2
*us )ra"cos, n"c d"ni0u" !oc i+so !u;us %"nis "
"rra" do'"sico nai&o0u" s"nsu Ia$os i+sos "
Lainos6 s"d +i"a", ac r"$i%ion", a0u" !ac una
sa+i"nia, 0uod d"oru' i''ora$iu' nu'in"
o'nia r"%i %u*"rnari0u" +"rs+"i'us, o'n"s
%"n"s naion"s0u" su+"ra&i'us.
Of Su+"rsiion
IT ERE *""r o !a&" no o+inion of )od a a$$,
!an suc! an o+inion, as is un1or!# of !i'.
For !" on" is un*"$i"f, !" o!"r is conu'"$#6
and c"rain$# su+"rsiion is !" r"+roac! of !"
D"i#. ($uarc! sai! 1"$$ o !a +ur+os"5 Sur"$#
8sai! !"9 I !ad ra!"r a %r"a d"a$, '"n s!ou$d
sa#, !"r" 1as no suc! 'an a a$$, as ($uarc!,
!an !a !"# s!ou$d sa#, !a !"r" 1as on" ($u2
arc!, !a 1ou$d "a !is c!i$dr"n as soon as !"#1"r" *orn6 as !" +o"s s+"a7 of Saurn. And as !"
conu'"$# is %r"a"r o1ards )od, so !" dan%"r is
%r"a"r o1ards '"n. A!"is' $"a&"s a 'an o
s"ns", o +!i$oso+!#, o naura$ +i"#, o $a1s, o
r"+uaion6 a$$ 1!ic! 'a# *" %uid"s o an ou1ard
'ora$ &iru", !ou%! r"$i%ion 1"r" no6 *u su+"r2
siion dis'ouns a$$ !"s", and "r"c"! an a*so2
$u" 'onarc!#, in !" 'inds of '"n. T!"r"for"
!"is' did n"&"r +"rur* sa"s6 for i 'a7"s '"n
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 37/124
1ar# of !"'s"$&"s, as $oo7in% no fur!"r5 and 1"
s"" !" i'"s inc$in"d o a!"is' 8as !" i'" of
Au%usus Ca"sar9 1"r" ci&i$ i'"s. Bu su+"rsi2
ion !a! *""n !" confusion of 'an# sa"s, and
*rin%"! in a n"1 +ri'u' 'o*i$", !a ra&is!"!
a$$ !" s+!"r"s of %o&"rn'"n.T!" 'as"r of su+"r2
siion, is !" +"o+$"6 and in a$$ su+"rsiion, 1is"
'"n fo$$o1 foo$s6 and ar%u'"ns ar" fi"d o +rac2
ic", in a r"&"rs"d ord"r. I 1as %ra&"$# said *#
so'" of !" +r"$a"s in !" Counci$ of Tr"n, 1!"r"
!" docrin" of !" Sc!oo$'"n *ar" %r"a s1a#,
!a !" Sc!oo$'"n 1"r" $i7" asrono'"rs, 1!ic!
did f"i%n "cc"nrics and "+ic#c$"s, and suc! "n2
%in"s of or*s, o sa&" !" +!"no'"na6 !ou%! !"#
7n"1 !"r" 1"r" no suc! !in%s6 and in $i7" 'an2
n"r, !a !" Sc!oo$'"n !ad fra'"d a nu'*"r of
su*$" and inrica" aio's, and !"or"'s, o sa&"
!" +racic" of !" c!urc!. T!" caus"s of su+"rsi2
ion ar"5 +$"asin% and s"nsua$ ri"s and c"r"'oni"s6
"c"ss of ou1ard and +!arisaica$ !o$in"ss6 o&"r2
%r"a r"&"r"nc" of radiions, 1!ic! canno *u$oad !" c!urc!6 !" sraa%"'s of +r"$a"s, for
!"ir o1n a'*iion and $ucr"6 !" fa&orin% oo
'uc! of %ood in"nions, 1!ic! o+"n"! !" %a"
o conc"is and no&"$i"s6 !" a7in% an ai' a
di&in" 'a"rs, *# !u'an, 1!ic! canno *u
*r""d 'iur" of i'a%inaions5 and, $as$#, *ar2
*arous i'"s, "s+"cia$$# ;oin"d 1i! ca$a'ii"s
and disas"rs. Su+"rsiion, 1i!ou a &"i$, is a d"2
for'"d !in%6 for, as i add"! d"for'i# o an
a+", o *" so $i7" a 'an, so !" si'i$iud" of su+"r2
siion o r"$i%ion, 'a7"s i !" 'or" d"for'"d.
And as 1!o$"so'" '"a corru+"! o $i$" 1or's,
so %ood for's and ord"rs corru+, ino a nu'*"r of
+"# o*s"r&anc"s. T!"r" is a su+"rsiion in a&oid2
in% su+"rsiion, 1!"n '"n !in7 o do *"s, if !"#
%o fur!"s fro' !" su+"rsiion, for'"r$# r"2
c"i&"d6 !"r"for" car" 1ou$d *" !ad !a 8as i
far"! in i$$ +ur%in%s9 !" %ood *" no a7"n a1a#
1i! !" *ad6 1!ic! co''on$# is don", 1!"n !"
+"o+$" is !" r"for'"r.
Of Tra&"$
TRAVEL, in !" #oun%"r sor, is a +ar of "du2
caion, in !" "$d"r, a +ar of "+"ri"nc". H"
!a ra&"$$"! ino a counr#, *"for" !" !a! so'"
"nranc" ino !" $an%ua%", %o"! o sc!oo$, and
no o ra&"$. T!a #oun% '"n ra&"$ und"r so'"
uor, or %ra&" s"r&an, I a$$o1 1"$$6 so !a !" *"
suc! a on" !a !a! !" $an%ua%", and !a! *""n
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 38/124
in !" counr# *"for"6 1!"r"*# !" 'a# *" a*$"
o "$$ !"' 1!a !in%s ar" 1or!# o *" s""n, in
!" counr# 1!"r" !"# %o6 1!a ac0uainanc"s
!"# ar" o s""76 1!a ""rcis"s, or disci+$in", !"
+$ac" #i"$d"!. For "$s", #oun% '"n s!a$$ %o
!ood"d, and $oo7 a*road $i$". I is a sran%" !in%,
!a in s"a &o#a%"s, 1!"r" !"r" is no!in% o *"
s""n, *u s7# and s"a, '"n s!ou$d 'a7" diari"s6
*u in $and2ra&"$, 1!"r"in so 'uc! is o *" o*2
s"r&"d, for !" 'os +ar !"# o'i i6 as if c!anc"
1"r" fi"r o *" r"%is"r"d, !an o*s"r&aion. L"
diari"s, !"r"for", *" *rou%! in us". T!" !in%s o
*" s""n and o*s"r&"d ar"5 !" cours of +rinc"s,
"s+"cia$$# 1!"n !"# %i&" audi"nc" o a'*assa2
dors6 !" cours of ;usic", 1!i$" !"# si and !"ar
caus"s6 and so of consisori"s "cc$"siasic6 !"
c!urc!"s and 'onas"ri"s, 1i! !" 'onu'"ns
1!ic! ar" !"r"in "an6 !" 1a$$s and forifica2
ions of cii"s, and o1ns, and so !" !"a&"ns and
!ar*ors6 ani0uii"s and ruins6 $i*rari"s6 co$$"%"s,
dis+uaions, and $"cur"s, 1!"r" an# ar"6 s!i+2+in% and na&i"s6 !ous"s and %ard"ns of sa" and
+$"asur", n"ar %r"a cii"s6 ar'ori"s6 ars"na$s6
'a%a<in"s6 "c!an%"s6 *urs"s6 1ar"!ous"s6 ""r2
cis"s of !ors"'ans!i+, f"ncin%, rainin% of so$2
di"rs, and !" $i7"6 co'"di"s, suc! 1!"r"uno !"
*""r sor of +"rsons do r"sor6 r"asuri"s of ;"1"$s
and ro*"s6 ca*in"s and rarii"s6 and, o conc$ud",
1!aso"&"r is '"'ora*$", in !" +$ac"s 1!"r"
!"# %o. Af"r a$$ 1!ic!, !" uors, or s"r&ans,
ou%! o 'a7" di$i%"n in0uir#. As for riu'+!s,
'as7s, f"ass, 1"ddin%s, fun"ra$s, ca+ia$ ""cu2
ions, and suc! s!o1s, '"n n""d no o *" +u in
'ind of !"'6 #" ar" !"# no o *" n"%$"c"d. If
#ou 1i$$ !a&" a #oun% 'an o +u !is ra&"$ ino a
$i$" roo', and in s!or i'" o %a!"r 'uc!, !is
#ou 'us do. Firs, as 1as said, !" 'us !a&" so'"
"nranc" ino !" $an%ua%" *"for" !" %o"!. T!"n
!" 'us !a&" suc! a s"r&an, or uor, as 7no1"!
!" counr#, as 1as $i7"1is" said. L" !i' carr#
1i! !i' a$so, so'" card or *oo7, d"scri*in% !"
counr# 1!"r" !" ra&"$$"!6 1!ic! 1i$$ *" a %ood
7"# o !is in0uir#. L" !i' 7""+ a$so a diar#. L"
!i' no sa# $on%, in on" ci# or o1n6 'or" or $"ss
as !" +$ac" d"s"r&"!, *u no $on%6 na#, 1!"n !"
sa#"! in on" ci# or o1n, $" !i' c!an%" !is
$od%in% fro' on" "nd and +ar of !" o1n, o an2
o!"r6 1!ic! is a %r"a ada'an of ac0uainanc".L" !i' s"0u"s"r !i's"$f, fro' !" co'+an# of
!is counr#'"n, and di" in suc! +$ac"s, 1!"r"
!"r" is %ood co'+an# of !" naion 1!"r" !"
ra&"$$"!. L" !i', u+on !is r"'o&"s fro' on"
+$ac" o ano!"r, +rocur" r"co''"ndaion o so'"
+"rson of 0ua$i#, r"sidin% in !" +$ac" 1!i!"r !"
r"'o&"!6 !a !" 'a# us" !is fa&or, in !os"
!in%s !" d"sir"! o s"" or 7no1. T!us !" 'a#
a*rid%" !is ra&"$, 1i! 'uc! +rofi. As for !"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 39/124
ac0uainanc", 1!ic! is o *" sou%! in ra&"$6 !a
1!ic! is 'os of a$$ +rofia*$", is ac0uainanc"
1i! !" s"cr"ari"s and "'+$o#"d '"n of a'*as2
sadors5 for so in ra&"$$in% in on" counr#, !" s!a$$
suc7 !" "+"ri"nc" of 'an#. L" !i' a$so s"", and
&isi, "'in"n +"rsons in a$$ 7inds, 1!ic! ar" of
%r"a na'" a*road6 !a !" 'a# *" a*$" o "$$,
!o1 !" $if" a%r""! 1i! !" fa'". For 0uarr"$s,
!"# ar" 1i! car" and discr"ion o *" a&oid"d.
T!"# ar" co''on$# for 'isr"ss"s, !"a$!s, +$ac",
and 1ords. And $" a 'an *"1ar", !o1 !" 7""+"!
co'+an# 1i! c!o$"ric and 0uarr"$so'" +"rsons6
for !"# 1i$$ "n%a%" !i' ino !"ir o1n 0uarr"$s.
!"n a ra&"$$"r r"urn"! !o'", $" !i' no
$"a&" !" counri"s, 1!"r" !" !a! ra&"$$"d, a$o2
%"!"r *"!ind !i'6 *u 'ainain a corr"s+ond2
"nc" *# $""rs, 1i! !os" of !is ac0uainanc",
1!ic! ar" of 'os 1or!. And $" !is ra&"$ a++"ar
ra!"r in !is discours", !an !is a++ar"$ or %"sur"6
and in !is discours", $" !i' *" ra!"r ad&is"d in
!is ans1"rs, !an for1ard o "$$ sori"s6 and $" ia++"ar !a !" do! no c!an%" !is counr# 'an2
n"rs, for !os" of for"i%n +ars6 *u on$# +ric7 in
so'" f$o1"rs, of !a !" !a! $"arn"d a*road, ino
!" cuso's of !is o1n counr#.
Of E'+ir"
IT IS a 'is"ra*$" sa" of 'ind, o !a&" f"1
!in%s o d"sir", and 'an# !in%s o f"ar6 and
#" !a co''on$# is !" cas" of 7in%s6 1!o, *"in%
a !" !i%!"s, 1an 'a"r of d"sir", 1!ic! 'a7"s
!"ir 'inds 'or" $an%uis!in%6 and !a&" 'an# r"+2
r"s"naions of +"ri$s and s!ado1s, 1!ic! 'a7"s
!"ir 'inds !" $"ss c$"ar. And !is is on" r"ason
a$so, of !a "ff"c 1!ic! !" Scri+ur" s+"a7"! of,
T!a !" 7in%-s !"ar is inscrua*$". For 'u$iud"
of ;"a$ousi"s, and $ac7 of so'" +r"do'inan d"2
sir", !a s!ou$d 'ars!a$ and +u in ord"r a$$ !"
r"s, 'a7"! an# 'an-s !"ar, !ard o find or
sound. H"nc" i co'"s $i7"1is", !a +rinc"s 'an#
i'"s 'a7" !"'s"$&"s d"sir"s, and s" !"ir !"ars
u+on o#s6 so'"i'"s u+on a *ui$din%6 so'"i'"su+on "r"cin% of an ord"r6 so'"i'"s u+on !" ad2
&ancin% of a +"rson6 so'"i'"s u+on o*ainin%
"c"$$"nc# in so'" ar, or f"a of !" !and6 as N"ro
for +$a#in% on !" !ar+, Do'iian for c"rain#
of !" !and 1i! !" arro1, Co''odus for +$a#2
in% a f"nc", Caraca$$a for dri&in% c!arios, and
!" $i7". T!is s""'"! incr"di*$", uno !os" !a
7no1 no !" +rinci+$", !a !" 'ind of 'an, is
'or" c!""r"d and r"fr"s!"d *# +rofiin% in s'a$$
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 40/124
!in%s, !an *# sandin% a a sa#, in %r"a. " s""
a$so !a 7in%s !a !a&" *""n foruna" con0u"r2
ors, in !"ir firs #"ars, i *"in% no +ossi*$" for
!"' o %o for1ard infini"$#, *u !a !"# 'us
!a&" so'" c!"c7, or arr"s in !"ir forun"s, urn
in !"ir $a"r #"ars o *" su+"rsiious, and '"$an2
c!o$#6 as did A$"and"r !" )r"a6 Dioc$"ian6 and
in our '"'or#, C!ar$"s !" Fif!6 and o!"rs5 for
!" !a is us"d o %o for1ard, and find"! a so+,
fa$$"! ou of !is o1n fa&or, and is no !" !in%
!" 1as.
To s+"a7 no1 of !" ru" "'+"r of "'+ir", i is
a !in% rar" and !ard o 7""+6 for *o! "'+"r, and
dis"'+"r, consis of conrari"s. Bu i is on" !in%,
o 'in%$" conrari"s, ano!"r o in"rc!an%" !"'.
T!" ans1"r of A+o$$onius o V"s+asian, is fu$$ of
"c"$$"n insrucion. V"s+asian as7"d !i', !a
1as N"ro-s o&"r!ro1: H" ans1"r"d, N"ro cou$d
ouc! and un" !" !ar+ 1"$$6 *u in %o&"rn'"n,
so'"i'"s !" us"d o 1ind !" +ins oo !i%!, so'"2i'"s o $" !"' do1n oo $o1. And c"rain i is,
!a no!in% d"sro#"! au!ori# so 'uc!, as !"
un"0ua$ and uni'"$# in"rc!an%" of +o1"r
+r"ss"d oo far, and r"$a"d oo 'uc!.
T!is is ru", !a !" 1isdo' of a$$ !"s" $a"r
i'"s, in +rinc"s- affairs, is ra!"r fin" d"$i&"ri"s,
and s!ifin%s of dan%"rs and 'isc!i"fs, 1!"n !"#
ar" n"ar, !an so$id and %round"d cours"s o 7""+
!"' a$oof. Bu !is is *u o r# 'as"ri"s 1i!
forun". And $" '"n *"1ar", !o1 !"# n"%$"c
and suff"r 'a"r of rou*$" o *" +r"+ar"d6 for no
'an can for*id !" s+ar7, nor "$$ 1!"nc" i 'a#
co'". T!" difficu$i"s in +rinc"s- *usin"ss ar" 'an#
and %r"a6 *u !" %r"a"s difficu$#, is of"n in
!"ir o1n 'ind. For i is co''on 1i! +rinc"s
8sai! Tacius9 o 1i$$ conradicori"s, Sun +$"r2
u'0u" r"%u' &o$una"s &"!"'"n"s, " in"r s"
conraria". For i is !" so$"cis' of +o1"r, o !in7
o co''and !" "nd, and #" no o "ndur" !"
'"an.
/in%s !a&" o d"a$ 1i! !"ir n"i%!*ors, !"ir
1i&"s, !"ir c!i$dr"n, !"ir +r"$a"s or c$"r%#, !"ir
no*$"s, !"ir s"cond2no*$"s or %"n$"'"n, !"ir
'"rc!ans, !"ir co''ons, and !"ir '"n of 1ar6
and fro' a$$ !"s" aris" dan%"rs, if car" and cir2cu's+"cion *" no us"d.
Firs for !"ir n"i%!*ors6 !"r" can no %"n"ra$
ru$" *" %i&"n 8for occasions ar" so &aria*$"9, sa&"
on", 1!ic! "&"r !o$d"!, 1!ic! is, !a +rinc"s do
7""+ du" s"nin"$, !a non" of !"ir n"i%!*ors do
"&"r %ro1 so 8*# incr"as" of "rrior#, *# "'*rac2
in% of rad", *# a++roac!"s, or !" $i7"9, as !"#
*"co'" 'or" a*$" o anno# !"', !an !"# 1"r".
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 41/124
And !is is %"n"ra$$# !" 1or7 of sandin% coun2
s"$s, o for"s"" and o !ind"r i. Durin% !a riu'2
&ira" of 7in%s, /in% H"nr# !" Ei%!! of En%$and,
Francis !" Firs /in% of Franc", and C!ar$"s !"
Fif! E'+"ror, !"r" 1as suc! a 1ac! 7"+, !a
non" of !" !r"" cou$d 1in a +a$' of %round, *u
!" o!"r 1o 1ou$d srai%!1a#s *a$anc" i,
"i!"r *# conf"d"raion, or, if n""d 1"r", *# a 1ar6
and 1ou$d no in an# 1is" a7" u+ +"ac" a in"r2
"s. And !" $i7" 1as don" *# !a $"a%u" 81!ic!
)uicciardini sai! 1as !" s"curi# of Ia$#9 'ad"
*"1""n F"rdinando /in% of Na+$"s, Lor"n<ius
M"dici, and Ludo&icus Sfor<a, +o"na"s, !" on"
of F$or"nc", !" o!"r of Mi$an. N"i!"r is !" o+in2
ion of so'" of !" Sc!oo$'"n, o *" r"c"i&"d, !a a
1ar canno ;us$# *" 'ad", *u u+on a +r"c"d"n
in;ur# or +ro&ocaion. For !"r" is no 0u"sion, *u
a ;us f"ar of an i''in"n dan%"r, !ou%! !"r" *"
no *$o1 %i&"n, is a $a1fu$ caus" of a 1ar.
For !"ir 1i&"s6 !"r" ar" cru"$ "a'+$"s of!"'. Li&ia is infa'"d, for !" +oisonin% of !"r
!us*and6 Roa$ana, So$#'an-s 1if", 1as !"
d"srucion of !a r"no1n"d +rinc", Su$an Mus2
a+!a, and o!"r1is" rou*$"d !is !ous" and suc2
c"ssion6 Ed1ard !" S"cond of En%$and, !is 0u""n,
!ad !" +rinci+a$ !and in !" d"+osin% and 'ur2
d"r of !"r !us*and. T!is 7ind of dan%"r, is !"n o
*" f"ar"d c!i"f$#, 1!"n !" 1i&"s !a&" +$os, for
!" raisin% of !"ir o1n c!i$dr"n6 or "$s" !a !"#
*" ad&our"ss"s.
For !"ir c!i$dr"n6 !" ra%"di"s $i7"1is" of
dan%"rs fro' !"', !a&" *""n 'an#. And %"n2
"ra$$#, !" "n"rin% of fa!"rs ino sus+icion of
!"ir c!i$dr"n, !a! *""n "&"r unforuna". T!"
d"srucion of Musa+!a 8!a 1" na'"d *"for"9
1as so faa$ o So$#'an-s $in", as !" succ"ssion of
!" Tur7s, fro' So$#'an uni$ !is da#, is sus2
+"c"d o *" unru", and of sran%" *$ood6 for !a
S"$#'us !" S"cond, 1as !ou%! o *" su++osi2
ious. T!" d"srucion of Cris+us, a #oun% +rinc" of
rar" o1ardn"ss, *# Consaninus !" )r"a, !is
fa!"r, 1as in $i7" 'ann"r faa$ o !is !ous"6 for
*o! Consaninus and Consanc", !is sons, di"d
&io$"n d"a!s6 and Consanius, !is o!"r son, did
$i$" *""r6 1!o di"d ind""d of sic7n"ss, *u af"r
!a 3u$ianus !ad a7"n ar's a%ains !i'. T!" d"2srucion of D"'"rius, son o (!i$i+ !" S"cond of
Mac"don, urn"d u+on !" fa!"r, 1!o di"d of
r"+"nanc". And 'an# $i7" "a'+$"s !"r" ar"6
*u f"1 or non", 1!"r" !" fa!"rs !ad %ood *#
suc! disrus6 "c"+ i 1"r", 1!"r" !" sons 1"r"
u+ in o+"n ar's a%ains !"'6 as 1as S"$#'us !"
Firs a%ains Ba;a<"6 and !" !r"" sons of H"nr#
!" S"cond, /in% of En%$and.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 42/124
For !"ir +r"$a"s6 1!"n !"# ar" +roud and
%r"a, !"r" is a$so dan%"r fro' !"'6 as i 1as in
!" i'"s of Ans"$'us, and T!o'as B"c7", Arc!2
*is!o+s of Can"r*ur#6 1!o, 1i! !"ir cro<i"rs,
did a$'os r# i 1i! !" 7in%-s s1ord6 and #"
!"# !ad o d"a$ 1i! sou and !au%!# 7in%s,
i$$ia' Rufus, H"nr# !" Firs, and H"nr# !"
S"cond. T!" dan%"r is no fro' !a sa", *u
1!"r" i !a! a d"+"nd"nc" of for"i%n au!ori#6
or 1!"r" !" c!urc!'"n co'" in and ar" "$"c"d,
no *# !" co$$aion of !" 7in%, or +aricu$ar
+arons, *u *# !" +"o+$".
For !"ir no*$"s6 o 7""+ !"' a a disanc", i is
no a'iss6 *u o d"+r"ss !"', 'a# 'a7" a 7in%
'or" a*so$u", *u $"ss saf"6 and $"ss a*$" o +"r2
for', an# !in% !a !" d"sir"s. I !a&" no"d i, in
'# Hisor# of /in% H"nr# !" S"&"n! of En%2
$and, 1!o d"+r"ss"d *is no*i$i#6 1!"r"u+on i
ca'" o +ass, !a !is i'"s 1"r" fu$$ of difficu$i"s
and rou*$"s6 for !" no*i$i#, !ou%! !"# con2inu"d $o#a$ uno !i', #" did !"# no co2o+"ra"
1i! !i' in !is *usin"ss. So !a in "ff"c, !" 1as
fain o do a$$ !in%s !i's"$f.
For !"ir s"cond2no*$"s6 !"r" is no 'uc! dan2
%"r fro' !"', *"in% a *od# dis+"rs"d. T!"# 'a#
so'"i'"s discours" !i%!, *u !a do! $i$" !ur6
*"sid"s, !"# ar" a coun"r+ois" o !" !i%!"r no2
*i$i#, !a !"# %ro1 no oo +o"n6 and, $as$#,
*"in% !" 'os i''"dia" in au!ori#, 1i! !"
co''on +"o+$", !"# do *"s "'+"r +o+u$ar co'2
'oions.
For !"ir '"rc!ans6 !"# ar" &"na +ora6 and
if !"# f$ouris! no, a 7in%do' 'a# !a&" %ood
$i'*s, *u 1i$$ !a&" "'+# &"ins, and nouris!
$i$". Ta"s and i'+oss u+on !"', do s"$do'
%ood o !" 7in%-s r"&"nu"6 for !a !a !" 1ins in
!" !undr"d, !" $""s"! in !" s!ir"6 !" +aricu$ar
ra"s *"in% incr"as"d, *u !" oa$ *u$7 of radin%,
ra!"r d"cr"as"d.
For !"ir co''ons6 !"r" is $i$" dan%"r fro'
!"', "c"+ i *", 1!"r" !"# !a&" %r"a and +o2
"n !"ads6 or 1!"r" #ou '"dd$" 1i! !" +oin of
r"$i%ion, or !"ir cuso's, or '"ans of $if".
For !"ir '"n of 1ar6 i is a dan%"rous sa",
1!"r" !"# $i&" and r"'ain in a *od#, and ar"
us"d o donai&"s6 1!"r"of 1" s"" "a'+$"s in !"
;ani<ari"s, and +r"orian *ands of Ro'"6 *u rain2
in%s of '"n, and ar'in% !"' in s"&"ra$ +$ac"s,
and und"r s"&"ra$ co''and"rs, and 1i!ou
donai&"s, ar" !in%s of d"f"nc", and no dan%"r.
(rinc"s ar" $i7" o !"a&"n$# *odi"s, 1!ic! caus"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 43/124
%ood or "&i$ i'"s6 and 1!ic! !a&" 'uc! &"n"ra2
ion, *u no r"s. A$$ +r"c"+s conc"rnin% 7in%s,
ar" in "ff"c co'+r"!"nd"d in !os" 1o r"'"'2
*ranc"s5 '"'"no 0uod "s !o'o6 and '"'"no
0uod "s D"us, or &ic" D"i6 !" on" *rid$"! !"ir
+o1"r, and !" o!"r !"ir 1i$$.
Of Couns"$
THE %r"a"s rus, *"1""n 'an and 'an, is
!" rus of %i&in% couns"$. For in o!"r con2
fid"nc"s, '"n co''i !" +ars of $if"6 !"ir $ands,
!"ir %oods, !"ir c!i$dr"n, !"ir cr"di, so'" +ar2
icu$ar affair6 *u o suc! as !"# 'a7" !"ir coun2
s"$$ors, !"# co''i !" 1!o$"5 *# !o1 'uc! !"
'or", !"# ar" o*$i%"d o a$$ fai! and in"%ri#.T!" 1is"s +rinc"s n""d no !in7 i an# di'inu2
ion o !"ir %r"an"ss, or d"ro%aion o !"ir suf2
fici"nc#, o r"$# u+on couns"$. )od !i's"$f is no
1i!ou, *u !a! 'ad" i on" of !" %r"a na'"s
of !is *$"ss"d Son5 T!" Couns"$$or. So$o'on !a!
+ronounc"d, !a in couns"$ is sa*i$i#. T!in%s
1i$$ !a&" !"ir firs, or s"cond a%iaion5 if !"# *"
no oss"d u+on !" ar%u'"ns of couns"$, !"#
1i$$ *" oss"d u+on !" 1a&"s of forun"6 and *"
fu$$ of inconsanc#, doin% and undoin%, $i7" !"
r""$in% of a drun7"n 'an. So$o'on-s son found
!" forc" of couns"$, as !is fa!"r sa1 !" n"c"ssi#
of i. For !" *"$o&"d 7in%do' of )od, 1as firs
r"n, and *ro7"n, *# i$$ couns"$6 u+on 1!ic! coun2
s"$, !"r" ar" s" for our insrucion, !" 1o 'ar7s
1!"r"*# *ad couns"$ is for "&"r *"s disc"rn"d6
!a i 1as #oun% couns"$, for !" +"rson6 and
&io$"n couns"$, for !" 'a"r.
T!" anci"n i'"s, do s" for! in fi%ur", *o!
!" incor+oraion, and ins"+ara*$" con;uncion, of
couns"$ 1i! 7in%s, and !" 1is" and +o$iic us" of
couns"$ *# 7in%s5 !" on", in !a !"# sa# 3u+i2
"r did 'arr# M"is, 1!ic! si%nifi"! couns"$6
1!"r"*# !"# in"nd !a So&"r"i%n#, is 'arri"d
o Couns"$5 !" o!"r in !a 1!ic! fo$$o1"!,
1!ic! 1as !us5 T!"# sa#, af"r 3u+i"r 1as 'ar2ri"d o M"is, s!" conc"i&"d *# !i', and 1as 1i!
c!i$d, *u 3u+i"r suff"r"d !"r no o sa#, i$$ s!"
*rou%! for!, *u "a !"r u+6 1!"r"*# !" *"ca'"
!i's"$f 1i! c!i$d, and 1as d"$i&"r"d of (a$$as
ar'"d, ou of !is !"ad. !ic! 'onsrous fa*$"
conain"! a s"cr" of "'+ir"6 !o1 7in%s ar" o
'a7" us" of !"ir couns"$ of sa". T!a firs, !"#
ou%! o r"f"r 'a"rs uno !"', 1!ic! is !" firs
*"%"in%, or i'+r"%naion6 *u 1!"n !"# ar"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 44/124
"$a*ora", 'ou$d"d, and s!a+"d in !" 1o'* of
!"ir couns"$, and %ro1 ri+", and r"ad# o *"
*rou%! for!, !a !"n !"# suff"r no !"ir coun2
s"$ o %o !rou%! 1i! !" r"so$uion and dir"c2
ion, as if i d"+"nd"d on !"'6 *u a7" !" 'a"r
*ac7 ino !"ir o1n !ands, and 'a7" i a++"ar o
!" 1or$d, !a !" d"cr""s and fina$ dir"cions
81!ic!, *"caus" !"# co'" for!, 1i! +rud"nc"
and +o1"r, ar" r"s"'*$"d o (a$$as ar'"d9 +ro2
c""d"d fro' !"'s"$&"s6 and no on$# fro' !"ir
au!ori#, *u 8!" 'or" o add r"+uaion o !"'2
s"$&"s9 fro' !"ir !"ad and d"&ic".
L" us no1 s+"a7 of !" incon&"ni"nc"s of coun2
s"$, and of !" r"'"di"s. T!" incon&"ni"nc"s !a
!a&" *""n no"d, in ca$$in% and usin% couns"$, ar"
!r"". Firs, !" r"&"a$in% of affairs, 1!"r"*# !"#
*"co'" $"ss s"cr". S"cond$#, !" 1"a7"nin% of !"
au!ori# of +rinc"s, as if !"# 1"r" $"ss of !"'2
s"$&"s. T!ird$#, !" dan%"r of *"in% unfai!fu$$#
couns"$$"d, and 'or" for !" %ood of !"' !acouns"$, !an of !i' !a is couns"$$"d. For 1!ic!
incon&"ni"nc"s, !" docrin" of Ia$#, and +racic"
of Franc", in so'" 7in%s- i'"s, !a! inroduc"d
ca*in" couns"$s6 a r"'"d# 1ors" !an !" dis"as".
As o s"cr"c#6 +rinc"s ar" no *ound o co''u2
nica" a$$ 'a"rs, 1i! a$$ couns"$$ors6 *u 'a#
"rac and s"$"c. N"i!"r is i n"c"ssar#, !a !"
!a consu$"! 1!a !" s!ou$d do, s!ou$d d"c$ar"
1!a !" 1i$$ do. Bu $" +rinc"s *"1ar", !a !"
uns"cr"in% of !"ir affairs, co'"s no fro' !"'2
s"$&"s. And as for ca*in" couns"$s, i 'a# *" !"ir
'oo, +$"nus ri'aru' su'5 on" fui$" +"rson,
!a 'a7"! i !is %$or# o "$$, 1i$$ do 'or" !ur
!an 'an#, !a 7no1 i !"ir du# o conc"a$. I is
ru" !"r" *" so'" affairs, 1!ic! r"0uir" "r"'"
s"cr"c#, 1!ic! 1i$$ !ard$# %o *"#ond on" or 1o
+"rsons, *"sid"s !" 7in%5 n"i!"r ar" !os" coun2
s"$s un+ros+"rous6 for, *"sid"s !" s"cr"c#, !"#
conunon$# %o on consan$#, in on" s+iri of dir"c2
ion, 1i!ou disracion. Bu !"n i 'us *" a
+rud"n 7in%, suc! as is a*$" o %rind 1i! a !and2
'i$$6 and !os" in1ard couns"$$ors !ad n""d a$so
*" 1is" '"n, and "s+"cia$$# ru" and rus# o !"
7in%-s "nds6 as i 1as 1i! /in% H"nr# !" S"&"n!
of En%$and, 1!o, in !is %r"a *usin"ss, i'+ar"d
!i's"$f o non", "c"+ i 1"r" o Moron and Fo.
For 1"a7"nin% of au!ori#6 !" fa*$" s!o1"!
!" r"'"d#. Na#, !" 'a;"s# of 7in%s, is ra!"r
"a$"d !an di'inis!"d, 1!"n !"# ar" in !"
c!air of couns"$6 n"i!"r 1as !"r" "&"r +rinc", *"2
r"a&"d of !is d"+"nd"nc"s, *# !is couns"$, "c"+
1!"r" !"r" !a! *""n, "i!"r an o&"r2%r"an"ss
in on" couns"$$or, or an o&"r2sric co'*inaion in
di&"rs6 1!ic! ar" !in%s soon found, and !o$+"n.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 45/124
For !" $as incon&"ni"nc", !a '"n 1i$$ coun2
s"$, 1i! an "#" o !"'s"$&"s6 c"rain$#, non
in&"ni" fid"' su+"r "rra' is '"an, of !" na2
ur" of i'"s, and no of a$$ +aricu$ar +"rsons.
T!"r" *", !a ar" in naur" fai!fu$, and sinc"r",
and +$ain, and dir"c6 no craf# and in&o$&"d6 $"
+rinc"s, a*o&" a$$, dra1 o !"'s"$&"s suc! na2
ur"s. B"sid"s, couns"$$ors ar" no co''on$# so
uni"d, *u !a on" couns"$$or, 7""+"! s"nin"$
o&"r ano!"r6 so !a if an# do couns"$ ou of fac2
ion or +ri&a" "nds, i co''on$# co'"s o !"
7in%-s "ar. Bu !" *"s r"'"d# is, if +rinc"s 7no1
!"ir couns"$$ors, as 1"$$ as !"ir couns"$$ors
7no1 !"'5
(rinci+is "s &irus 'ai'a noss" suos.
And on !" o!"r sid", couns"$$ors s!ou$d no *"
oo s+"cu$ai&" ino !"ir so&"r"i%n-s +"rson. T!"ru" co'+osiion of a couns"$$or, is ra!"r o *"
s7i$fu$ in !"ir 'as"r-s *usin"ss, !an in !is na2
ur"6 for !"n !" is $i7" o ad&is" !i', and no f""d
!is !u'or. I is of sin%u$ar us" o +rinc"s, if !"#
a7" !" o+inions of !"ir couns"$, *o! s"+ara"$#
and o%"!"r. For +ri&a" o+inion is 'or" fr""6
*u o+inion *"for" o!"rs, is 'or" r"&"r"n. In
+ri&a", '"n ar" 'or" *o$d in !"ir o1n !u'ors6
and in consor, '"n ar" 'or" o*noious o o!"rs-
!u'ors6 !"r"for" i is %ood o a7" *o!6 and of
!" inf"rior sor, ra!"r in +ri&a", o +r"s"r&" fr""2
do'6 of !" %r"a"r, ra!"r in consor, o +r"s"r&"
r"s+"c. I is in &ain for +rinc"s, o a7" couns"$
conc"rnin% 'a"rs, if !"# a7" no couns"$ $i7"2
1is" conc"rnin% +"rsons6 for a$$ 'a"rs ar" as
d"ad i'a%"s6 and !" $if" of !" ""cuion of af2
fairs, r"s"! in !" %ood c!oic" of +"rsons. N"i!"r
is i "nou%!, o consu$ conc"rnin% +"rsons s"cun2
du' %"n"ra, as in an id"a, or 'a!"'aica$ d"2
scri+ion, 1!a !" 7ind and c!arac"r of !"
+"rson s!ou$d *"6 for !" %r"a"s "rrors ar" co'2
'i"d, and !" 'os ;ud%'"n is s!o1n, in !"
c!oic" of indi&idua$s. I 1as ru$# said, o+i'i con2
si$iarii 'orui5 *oo7s 1i$$ s+"a7 +$ain, 1!"n coun2
s"$$ors *$anc!.T!"r"for" i is %ood o *" con&"rsan
in !"', s+"cia$$# !" *oo7s of suc! as !"'s"$&"s
!a&" *""n acors u+on !" sa%".
T!" couns"$s a !is da#, in 'os +$ac"s, ar" *u
fa'i$iar '""in%s, 1!"r" 'a"rs ar" ra!"r a$7"d
on, !an d"*a"d. And !"# run oo s1if, o !"
ord"r, or ac, of couns"$. I 1"r" *""r !a in
caus"s of 1"i%!, !" 'a"r 1"r" +ro+ound"d on"
da#, and no s+o7"n o i$$ !" n" da#6 in noc"
consi$iu'. So 1as i don" in !" Co''ission of
Union, *"1""n En%$and and Sco$and6 1!ic!
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 46/124
1as a %ra&" and ord"r$# ass"'*$#. I co''"nd s"
da#s for +"iions6 for *o! i %i&"s !" sudors 'or"
c"rain# for !"ir a"ndanc", and i fr""s !"
'""in%s for 'a"rs of "sa", !a !"# 'a# !oc
a%"r". In c!oic" of co''i""s6 for ri+"nin% *usi2
n"ss for !" couns"$, i is *""r o c!oos" indiff"r"n
+"rsons, !an o 'a7" an indiff"r"nc#, *# +uin%
in !os", !a ar" sron% on *o! sid"s. I co''"nd
a$so sandin% co''issions6 as for rad", for r"as2
ur", for 1ar, for suis, for so'" +ro&inc"s6 for
1!"r" !"r" *" di&"rs +aricu$ar couns"$s, and *u
on" couns"$ of "sa" 8as i is in S+ain9, !"# ar", in
"ff"c, no 'or" !an sandin% co''issions5 sa&"
!a !"# !a&" %r"a"r au!ori#. L" suc! as ar"
o infor' couns"$s, ou of !"ir +aricu$ar +rof"s2
sions 8as $a1#"rs, s"a'"n, 'in'"n, and !" $i7"9
*" firs !"ard *"for" co''i""s6 and !"n, as oc2
casion s"r&"s, *"for" !" couns"$. And $" !"' no
co'" in 'u$iud"s, or in a ri*uniious 'ann"r6
for !a is o c$a'or couns"$s, no o infor' !"'.
A $on% a*$" and a s0uar" a*$", or s"as a*ou !"1a$$s, s""' !in%s of for', *u ar" !in%s of su*2
sanc"6 for a a $on% a*$" a f"1 a !" u++"r "nd, in
"ff"c, s1a# a$$ !" *usin"ss6 *u in !" o!"r for',
!"r" is 'or" us" of !" couns"$$ors- o+inions, !a
si $o1"r. A 7in%, 1!"n !" +r"sid"s in couns"$, $"
!i' *"1ar" !o1 !" o+"ns !is o1n inc$inaion oo
'uc!, in !a 1!ic! !" +ro+ound"!6 for "$s"
couns"$$ors 1i$$ *u a7" !" 1ind of !i', and in2
s"ad of %i&in% fr"" couns"$, sin% !i' a son% of
+$ac"*o.
Of D"$a#s
FORTUNE is $i7" !" 'ar7"6 1!"r" 'an#
i'"s if #ou can sa# a $i$", !" +ric" 1i$$ fa$$.
A%ain, i is so'"i'"s $i7" Si*#$$a-s off"r6 1!ic! a
firs, off"r"! !" co''odi# a fu$$, !"n con2
su'"! +ar and +ar, and si$$ !o$d"! u+ !"
+ric". For occasion 8as i is in !" co''on &"rs"9
urn"! a *a$d nodd$", af"r s!" !a! +r"s"n"d !"r
$oc7s in fron, and no !o$d a7"n6 or a $"as urn"!!" !and$" of !" *o$", firs o *" r"c"i&"d, and
af"r !" *"$$#, 1!ic! is !ard o c$as+. T!"r" is
sur"$# no %r"a"r 1isdo', !an 1"$$ o i'" !"
*"%innin%s, and ons"s, of !in%s. Dan%"rs ar" no
'or" $i%!, if !"# onc" s""' $i%!6 and 'or" dan2
%"rs !a&" d"c"i&"d '"n, !an forc"d !"'. Na#,
i 1"r" *""r, o '"" so'" dan%"rs !a$f 1a#,
!ou%! !"# co'" no!in% n"ar, !an o 7""+ oo
$on% a 1ac! u+on !"ir a++roac!"s6 for if a 'an
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 47/124
1ac! oo $on%, i is odds !" 1i$$ fa$$ as$""+. On !"
o!"r sid", o *" d"c"i&"d 1i! oo $on% s!ado1s
8as so'" !a&" *""n, 1!"n !" 'oon 1as $o1, and
s!on" on !"ir "n"'i"s- *ac79, and so o s!oo off
*"for" !" i'"6 or o "ac! dan%"rs o co'" on, *#
o&"r "ar$# *uc7$in% o1ards !"'6 is ano!"r "2
r"'". T!" ri+"n"ss, or unri+"n"ss, of !" occasion
8as 1" said9 'us "&"r *" 1"$$ 1"i%!"d6 and %"n"r2
a$$# i is %ood, o co''i !" *"%innin%s of a$$
%r"a acions o Ar%us, 1i! !is !undr"d "#"s, and
!" "nds o Briar"us, 1i! !is !undr"d !ands6 firs
o 1ac!, and !"n o s+""d. For !" !"$'" of
($uo, 1!ic! 'a7"! !" +o$iic 'an %o in&isi*$",
is s"cr"c# in !" couns"$, and c"$"ri# in !" ""cu2
ion. For 1!"n !in%s ar" onc" co'" o !" ""cu2
ion, !"r" is no s"cr"c#, co'+ara*$" o c"$"ri#6
$i7" !" 'oion of a *u$$" in !" air, 1!ic! f$i"!
so s1if, as i ouruns !" "#".
Of Cunnin%
E TA/E cunnin% for a sinis"r or croo7"d
1isdo'. And c"rain$# !"r" is a %r"a dif2
f"r"nc", *"1""n a cunnin% 'an, and a 1is" 'an6
no on$# in +oin of !on"s#, *u in +oin of a*i$i#.
T!"r" *", !a can +ac7 !" cards, and #" canno
+$a# 1"$$6 so !"r" ar" so'" !a ar" %ood in can2
&ass"s and facions, !a ar" o!"r1is" 1"a7 '"n.
A%ain, i is on" !in% o und"rsand +"rsons, and
ano!"r !in% o und"rsand 'a"rs6 for 'an#
ar" +"rf"c in '"n-s !u'ors, !a ar" no %r"a$#
ca+a*$" of !" r"a$ +ar of *usin"ss6 1!ic! is !"
consiuion of on" !a !a! sudi"d '"n, 'or"
!an *oo7s. Suc! '"n ar" fi"r for +racic", !an
for couns"$6 and !"# ar" %ood, *u in !"ir o1n
a$$"#5 urn !"' o n"1 '"n, and !"# !a&" $os
!"ir ai'6 so as !" o$d ru$", o 7no1 a foo$ fro' a
1is" 'an, Mi" a'*os nudos ad i%noos, " &id"2
*is, do! scarc" !o$d for !"'. And *"caus" !"s"
cunnin% '"n, ar" $i7" !a*"rdas!"rs of s'a$$
1ar"s, i is no a'iss o s" for! !"ir s!o+.
I is a +oin of cunnin%, o 1ai u+on !i' 1i!
1!o' #ou s+"a7, 1i! #our "#"6 as !" 3"suis %i&"i in +r"c"+5 for !"r" *" 'an# 1is" '"n, !a
!a&" s"cr" !"ars, and rans+ar"n coun"nanc"s.
Y" !is 1ou$d *" don" 1i! a d"'ur" a*asin% of
#our "#", so'"i'"s, as !" 3"suis a$so do us".
Ano!"r is, !a 1!"n #ou !a&" an#!in% o
o*ain, of +r"s"n d"s+ac!, #ou "n"rain and
a'us" !" +ar#, 1i! 1!o' #ou d"a$, 1i! so'"
o!"r discours"6 !a !" *" no oo 'uc! a1a7" o
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 48/124
'a7" o*;"cions. I 7n"1 a couns"$$or and s"cr"2
ar#, !a n"&"r ca'" o >u""n E$i<a*"! of En%2
$and, 1i! *i$$s o si%n, *u !" 1ou$d a$1a#s firs
+u !"r ino so'" discours" of "sa", !a s!"
'ou%! !" $"ss 'ind !" *i$$s.
T!" $i7" sur+ris" 'a# *" 'ad" *# 'o&in%
!in%s, 1!"n !" +ar# is in !as", and canno sa#
o consid"r ad&is"d$# of !a is 'o&"d.
If a 'an 1ou$d cross a *usin"ss, !a !" dou*s
so'" o!"r 1ou$d !andso'"$# and "ff"cua$$#
'o&", $" !i' +r""nd o 1is! i 1"$$, and 'o&" i
!i's"$f in suc! sor as 'a# foi$ i.
T!" *r"a7in% off, in !" 'ids of !a on" 1as
a*ou o sa#, as if !" oo7 !i's"$f u+, *r""ds a
%r"a"r a++"i" in !i' 1i! 1!o' #ou conf"r, o
7no1 'or".
And *"caus" i 1or7s *""r, 1!"n an#!in%s""'"! o *" %o"n fro' #ou *# 0u"sion, !an
if #ou off"r i of #ours"$f, #ou 'a# $a# a *ai for a
0u"sion, *# s!o1in% ano!"r &isa%", and coun"2
nanc", !an #ou ar" 1on6 o !" "nd o %i&" occa2
sion, for !" +ar# o as7, 1!a !" 'a"r is of !"
c!an%": As N"!"'ias did6 And I !ad no *"for"
!a i'", *""n sad *"for" !" 7in%.
In !in%s !a ar" "nd"r and un+$"asin%, i is
%ood o *r"a7 !" ic", *# so'" 1!os" 1ords ar" of
$"ss 1"i%!, and o r"s"r&" !" 'or" 1"i%!# &oic",
o co'" in as *# c!anc", so !a !" 'a# *" as7"d
!" 0u"sion u+on !" o!"r-s s+""c!5 as Narcissus
did, r"$ain% o C$audius !" 'arria%" of M"ssa2
$ina and Si$ius.
In !in%s !a a 'an 1ou$d no *" s""n in !i'2
s"$f, i is a +oin of cunnin%, o *orro1 !" na'" of
!" 1or$d6 as o sa#, T!" 1or$d sa#s, or T!"r" is a
s+""c! a*road.
I 7n"1 on" !a, 1!"n !" 1ro" a $""r, !"
1ou$d +u !a, 1!ic! 1as 'os 'a"ria$, in !"
+osscri+, as if i !ad *""n a *#2'a"r.
I 7n"1 ano!"r !a, 1!"n !" ca'" o !a&"
s+""c!, !" 1ou$d +ass o&"r !a, !a !" in"nd"d'os6 and %o for!, and co'" *ac7 a%ain, and
s+"a7 of i as of a !in%, !a !" !ad a$'os for%o.
So'" +rocur" !"'s"$&"s, o *" sur+ris"d, a
suc! i'"s as i is $i7" !" +ar# !a !"# 1or7
u+on, 1i$$ sudd"n$# co'" u+on !"'6 and o *"
found 1i! a $""r in !"ir !and, or doin% so'"2
1!a 1!ic! !"# ar" no accuso'"d6 o !" "nd,
!"# 'a# *" a++os"d of !os" !in%s, 1!ic! of
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 49/124
!"'s"$&"s !"# ar" d"sirous o u"r.
I is a +oin of cunnin%, o $" fa$$ !os" 1ords in
a 'an-s o1n na'", 1!ic! !" 1ou$d !a&" ano!"r
'an $"arn, and us", and !"r"u+on a7" ad&an2
a%". I 7n"1 1o, !a 1"r" co'+"iors for !"
s"cr"ar#-s +$ac" in >u""n E$i<a*"!-s i'", and
#" 7"+ %ood 0uar"r *"1""n !"'s"$&"s6 and
1ou$d conf"r, on" 1i! ano!"r, u+on !" *usi2
n"ss6 and !" on" of !"' said, T!a o *" a s"cr"2
ar#, in !" d"c$inaion of a 'onarc!#, 1as a
ic7$is! !in%, and !a !" did no aff"c i5 !"
o!"r srai%! cau%! u+ !os" 1ords, and dis2
cours"d 1i! di&"rs of !is fri"nds, !a !" !ad no
r"ason o d"sir" o *" s"cr"ar#, in !" d"c$inaion
of a 'onarc!#. T!" firs 'an oo7 !o$d of i, and
found '"ans i 1as o$d !" >u""n6 1!o, !"arin%
of a d"c$inaion of a 'onarc!#, oo7 i so i$$, as s!"
1ou$d n"&"r af"r !"ar of !" o!"r-s sui.
T!"r" is a cunnin%, 1!ic! 1" in En%$and ca$$,!" urnin% of !" ca in !" +an6 1!ic! is, 1!"n
!a 1!ic! a 'an sa#s o ano!"r, !" $a#s i as if
ano!"r !ad said i o !i'. And o sa# ru!, i is
no "as#, 1!"n suc! a 'a"r +ass"d *"1""n 1o,
o 'a7" i a++"ar fro' 1!ic! of !"' i firs
'o&"d and *"%an.
I is a 1a# !a so'" '"n !a&", o %$anc" and
dar a o!"rs, *# ;usif#in% !"'s"$&"s *# n"%a2
i&"s6 as o sa#, T!is I do no6 as Ti%"$$inus did
o1ards Burr!us, S" non di&"rsas s+"s, s"d inco$u2
'ia"' i'+"raoris si'+$ici"r s+"car".
So'" !a&" in r"adin"ss so 'an# a$"s and
sori"s, as !"r" is no!in% !"# 1ou$d insinua",
*u !"# can 1ra+ i ino a a$"6 1!ic! s"r&"! *o!
o 7""+ !"'s"$&"s 'or" in %uard, and o 'a7"
o!"rs carr# i 1i! 'or" +$"asur". I is a %ood
+oin of cunnin%, for a 'an o s!a+" !" ans1"r
!" 1ou$d !a&", in !is o1n 1ords and +ro+osiions6
for i 'a7"s !" o!"r +ar# sic7 !" $"ss.
I is sran%" !o1 $on% so'" '"n 1i$$ $i" in 1ai
o s+"a7 so'"1!a !"# d"sir" o sa#6 and !o1 far
a*ou !"# 1i$$ f"c!6 and !o1 'an# o!"r 'a2
"rs !"# 1i$$ *"a o&"r, o co'" n"ar i. I is a !in%
of %r"a +ai"nc", *u #" of 'uc! us".
A sudd"n, *o$d, and un"+"c"d 0u"sion do!
'an# i'"s sur+ris" a 'an, and $a# !i' o+"n.
Li7" o !i' !a , !a&in% c!an%"d !is na'", and
1a$7in% in (au$-s, ano!"r sudd"n$# ca'" *"!ind
!i', and ca$$"d !i' *# !is ru" na'", 1!"r"a
srai%!1a#s !" $oo7"d *ac7.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 50/124
Bu !"s" s'a$$ 1ar"s, and +"# +oins, of cun2
nin%, ar" infini"6 and i 1"r" a %ood d""d o 'a7"
a $is of !"'6 for !a no!in% do! 'or" !ur in
a sa", !an !a cunnin% '"n +ass for 1is".
Bu c"rain$# so'" !"r" ar" !a 7no1 !" r"2
sors and fa$$s of *usin"ss, !a canno sin7 ino
!" 'ain of i6 $i7" a !ous" !a !a! con&"ni"n
sairs and "nri"s, *u n"&"r a fair roo'. T!"r"for",
#ou s!a$$ s"" !"' find ou +r"# $oos"s in !" con2
c$usion, *u ar" no 1a#s a*$" o "a'in" or d"*a"
'a"rs. And #" co''on$# !"# a7" ad&ana%"
of !"ir ina*i$i#, and 1ou$d *" !ou%! 1is of
dir"cion. So'" *ui$d ra!"r u+on !" a*usin% of
o!"rs, and 8as 1" no1 sa#9 +uin% ric7s u+on
!"', !an u+on soundn"ss of !"ir o1n +roc""d2
in%s. Bu So$o'on sai!, (rud"ns ad&"ri ad %r"s2
sus suos6 su$us di&"ri ad do$os.
Of isdo'
FOR A MAN-S SELF
AN ANT is a 1is" cr"aur" for is"$f, *u i is a
s!r"1d !in%, in an orc!ard or %ard"n. And
c"rain$#, '"n !a ar" %r"a $o&"rs of !"'s"$&"s,
1as" !" +u*$ic. Di&id" 1i! r"ason6 *"1""n s"$f2
$o&" and soci"#6 and *" so ru" o !#s"$f, as !ou
*" no fa$s" o o!"rs6 s+"cia$$# o !# 7in% and
counr#. I is a +oor c"nr" of a 'an-s acions, !i'2
s"$f. I is ri%! "ar!. For !a on$# sands fas u+on
!is o1n c"nr"6 1!"r"as a$$ !in%s, !a !a&" af2
fini# 1i! !" !"a&"ns, 'o&" u+on !" c"nr" of
ano!"r, 1!ic! !"# *"n"fi. T!" r"f"rrin% of a$$
o a 'an-s s"$f, is 'or" o$"ra*$" in a so&"r"i%n
+rinc"6 *"caus" !"'s"$&"s ar" no on$# !"'2
s"$&"s, *u !"ir %ood and "&i$ is a !" +"ri$ of !"
+u*$ic forun". Bu i is a d"s+"ra" "&i$, in a s"r2
&an o a +rinc", or a cii<"n in a r"+u*$ic. For1!aso"&"r affairs +ass suc! a 'an-s !ands, !"
croo7"! !"' o !is o1n "nds6 1!ic! 'us n""ds
*" of"n "cc"nric o !" "nds of !is 'as"r, or sa".
T!"r"for", $" +rinc"s, or sa"s, c!oos" suc! s"r2
&ans, as !a&" no !is 'ar76 "c"+ !"# '"an
!"ir s"r&ic" s!ou$d *" 'ad" *u !" acc"ssor#.
T!a 1!ic! 'a7"! !" "ff"c 'or" +"rnicious, is
!a a$$ +ro+orion is $os. I 1"r" dis+ro+orion
"nou%!, for !" s"r&an-s %ood o *" +r"f"rr"d *"2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 51/124
for" !" 'as"r-s6 *u #" i is a %r"a"r "r"'",
1!"n a $i$" %ood of !" s"r&an, s!a$$ carr# !in%s
a%ains a %r"a %ood of !" 'as"r-s. And #" !a
is !" cas" of *ad offic"rs, r"asur"rs, a'*assadors,
%"n"ra$s, and o!"r fa$s" and corru+ s"r&ans6
1!ic! s" a *ias u+on !"ir *o1$, of !"ir o1n
+"# "nds and "n&i"s, o !" o&"r!ro1 of !"ir
'as"r-s %r"a and i'+oran affairs. And for !"
'os +ar, !" %ood suc! s"r&ans r"c"i&", is af"r
!" 'od"$ of !"ir o1n forun"6 *u !" !ur !"#
s"$$ for !a %ood, is af"r !" 'od"$ of !"ir
'as"r-s forun". And c"rain$# i is !" naur" of
"r"'" s"$f2$o&"rs, as !"# 1i$$ s" an !ous" on fir",
and i 1"r" *u o roas !"ir "%%s6 and #" !"s"
'"n 'an# i'"s !o$d cr"di 1i! !"ir 'as"rs,
*"caus" !"ir sud# is *u o +$"as" !"', and +rofi
!"'s"$&"s6 and for "i!"r r"s+"c, !"# 1i$$ a*an2
don !" %ood of !"ir affairs.
isdo' for a 'an-s s"$f is, in 'an# *ranc!"s
!"r"of, a d"+ra&"d !in%. I is !" 1isdo' of ras,!a 1i$$ *" sur" o $"a&" a !ous", so'"1!a *"for"
i fa$$. I is !" 1isdo' of !" fo, !a !russ ou
!" *ad%"r, 1!o di%%"d and 'ad" roo' for !i'.
I is !" 1isdo' of crocodi$"s, !a s!"d "ars 1!"n
!"# 1ou$d d"&our. Bu !a 1!ic! is s+"cia$$# o
*" no"d is, !a !os" 1!ic! 8as Cic"ro sa#s of
(o'+"#9 ar" sui a'an"s, sin" ri&a$i, ar" 'an#
i'"s unforuna". And 1!"r"as !"# !a&", a$$
!"ir i'"s, sacrific"d o !"'s"$&"s, !"# *"co'"
in !" "nd, !"'s"$&"s sacrific"s o !" inconsanc#
of forun", 1!os" 1in%s !"# !ou%!, *# !"ir
s"$f21isdo', o !a&" +inion"d.
Of Inno&aions
AS THE *ir!s of $i&in% cr"aur"s, a firs ar" i$$2
s!a+"n, so ar" a$$ inno&aions, 1!ic! ar" !"
*ir!s of i'". Y" no1i!sandin%, as !os" !a
firs *rin% !onor ino !"ir fa'i$#, ar" co''on$#
'or" 1or!# !an 'os !a succ""d, so !" firs
+r"c"d"n 8if i *" %ood9 is s"$do' aain"d *#i'iaion. For i$$, o 'an-s naur", as i sands
+"r&"r"d, !a! a naura$ 'oion, sron%"s in con2
inuanc"6 *u %ood, as a forc"d 'oion, sron%"s
a firs. Sur"$# "&"r# '"dicin" is an inno&aion6
and !" !a 1i$$ no a++$# n"1 r"'"di"s, 'us
"+"c n"1 "&i$s6 for i'" is !" %r"a"s inno&aor6
and if i'" of cours" a$"r !in%s o !" 1ors", and
1isdo' and couns"$ s!a$$ no a$"r !"' o !"
*""r, 1!a s!a$$ *" !" "nd: I is ru", !a 1!a
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 52/124
is s"$"d *# cuso', !ou%! i *" no %ood, #" a
$"as i is fi6 and !os" !in%s 1!ic! !a&" $on%
%on" o%"!"r, ar", as i 1"r", conf"d"ra" 1i!in
!"'s"$&"s6 1!"r"as n"1 !in%s +i"c" no so 1"$$6
*u !ou%! !"# !"$+ *# !"ir ui$i#, #" !"#
rou*$" *# !"ir inconfor'i#. B"sid"s, !"# ar"
$i7" sran%"rs6 'or" ad'ir"d, and $"ss fa&or"d. A$$
!is is ru", if i'" sood si$$6 1!ic! conrari1is"
'o&"! so round, !a a fro1ard r""nion of cus2
o', is as ur*u$"n a !in% as an inno&aion6 and
!"# !a r"&"r"nc" oo 'uc! o$d i'"s, ar" *u a
scorn o !" n"1. I 1"r" %ood, !"r"for", !a '"n
in !"ir inno&aions 1ou$d fo$$o1 !" "a'+$" of
i'" is"$f6 1!ic! ind""d inno&a"! %r"a$#, *u
0ui"$#, *# d"%r""s scarc" o *" +"rc"i&"d. For
o!"r1is", 1!aso"&"r is n"1 is un$oo7"d for6 and
"&"r i '"nds so'", and +airs o!"rs6 and !" !a
is !o$+"n, a7"s i for a forun", and !an7s !"
i'"6 and !" !a is !ur, for a 1ron%, and i'+u2
"! i o !" au!or. I is %ood a$so, no o r# "+"ri2
'"ns in sa"s, "c"+ !" n"c"ssi# *" ur%"n, or!" ui$i# "&id"n6 and 1"$$ o *"1ar", !a i *"
!" r"for'aion, !a dra1"! on !" c!an%", and
no !" d"sir" of c!an%", !a +r""nd"! !" r"for2
'aion. And $as$#, !a !" no&"$#, !ou%! i *"
no r";"c"d, #" *" !"$d for a sus+"c6 and, as !"
Scri+ur" sai!, !a 1" 'a7" a sand u+on !"
anci"n 1a#, and !"n $oo7 a*ou us, and disco&"r
1!a is !" srai%! and ri%! 1a#, and so o 1a$7
in i.
Of Dis+ac!
AFFECTED dis+ac! is on" of !" 'os dan%"r2
ous !in%s o *usin"ss !a can *". I is $i7"
!a, 1!ic! !" +!#sicians ca$$ +r"di%"sion, or
!as# di%"sion6 1!ic! is sur" o fi$$ !" *od# fu$$ of
crudii"s, and s"cr" s""ds of dis"as"s. T!"r"for"
'"asur" no dis+ac!, *# !" i'"s of siin%, *u
*# !" ad&anc"'"n of !" *usin"ss. And as in
rac"s i is no !" $ar%" srid" or !i%! $if !a 'a7"s
!" s+""d6 so in *usin"ss, !" 7""+in% c$os" o !"'a"r, and no a7in% of i oo 'uc! a onc", +ro2
cur"! dis+ac!. I is !" car" of so'", on$# o co'"
off s+""di$# for !" i'"6 or o conri&" so'" fa$s"
+"riods of *usin"ss, *"caus" !"# 'a# s""' '"n
of dis+ac!. Bu i is on" !in%, o a**r"&ia" *#
conracin%, ano!"r *# cuin% off . And *usin"ss
so !and$"d, a s"&"ra$ siin%s or '""in%s, %o"!
co''on$# *ac71ard and for1ard in an uns"ad#
'ann"r. I 7n"1 a 1is" 'an !a !ad i for a *#2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 53/124
1ord, 1!"n !" sa1 '"n !as"n o a conc$usion,
Sa# a $i$", !a 1" 'a# 'a7" an "nd !" soon"r.
On !" o!"r sid", ru" dis+ac! is a ric! !in%.
For i'" is !" '"asur" of *usin"ss, as 'on"# is
of 1ar"s6 and *usin"ss is *ou%! a a d"ar !and,
1!"r" !"r" is s'a$$ dis+ac!. T!" S+arans and
S+aniards !a&" *""n no"d o *" of s'a$$ dis+ac!6
Mi &"n%a $a 'u"r" d" S+a%na6 L" '# d"a! co'"
fro' S+ain6 for !"n i 1i$$ *" sur" o *" $on% in
co'in%.
)i&" %ood !"arin% o !os", !a %i&" !" firs
infor'aion in *usin"ss6 and ra!"r dir"c !"'
in !" *"%innin%, !an in"rru+ !"' in !" con2
inuanc" of !"ir s+""c!"s6 for !" !a is +u ou of
!is o1n ord"r, 1i$$ %o for1ard and *ac71ard, and
*" 'or" "dious, 1!i$" !" 1ais u+on !is '"'or#,
!an !" cou$d !a&" *""n, if !" !ad %on" on in !is
o1n cours". Bu so'"i'"s i is s""n, !a !"
'od"raor is 'or" rou*$"so'", !an !" acor.
I"raions ar" co''on$# $oss of i'". Bu !"r"
is no suc! %ain of i'", as o i"ra" of"n !" sa"
of !" 0u"sion6 for i c!as"! a1a# 'an# a fri&o2
$ous s+""c!, as i is co'in% for!. Lon% and curious
s+""c!"s, ar" as fi for dis+ac!, as a ro*" or 'an$",
1i! a $on% rain, is for rac". (r"fac"s and +as2
sa%"s, and "cusaions, and o!"r s+""c!"s of r"f"r2
"nc" o !" +"rson, ar" %r"a 1as"s of i'"6 and
!ou%! !"# s""' o +roc""d of 'od"s#, !"# ar"
*ra&"r#. Y" *"1ar" of *"in% oo 'a"ria$, 1!"n
!"r" is an# i'+"di'"n or o*srucion in '"n-s
1i$$s6 for +r"2occu+aion of 'ind "&"r r"0uir"!
+r"fac" of s+""c!6 $i7" a fo'"naion o 'a7" !"
un%u"n "n"r.
A*o&" a$$ !in%s, ord"r, and disri*uion, and
sin%$in% ou of +ars, is !" $if" of dis+ac!6 so as !"
disri*uion *" no oo su*$"5 for !" !a do! no
di&id", 1i$$ n"&"r "n"r 1"$$ ino *usin"ss6 and !"
!a di&id"! oo 'uc!, 1i$$ n"&"r co'" ou of i
c$"ar$#. To c!oos" i'", is o sa&" i'"6 and an un2
s"asona*$" 'oion, is *u *"ain% !" air. T!"r" *"
!r"" +ars of *usin"ss6 !" +r"+araion, !" d"*a"
or "a'inaion, and !" +"rf"cion. !"r"of, if
#ou $oo7 for dis+ac!, $" !" 'idd$" on$# *" !"
1or7 of 'an#, and !" firs and $as !" 1or7 off"1. T!" +roc""din% u+on so'"1!a conc"i&"d in
1riin%, do! for !" 'os +ar faci$ia" dis+ac!5
for !ou%! i s!ou$d *" 1!o$$# r";"c"d, #" !a
n"%ai&" is 'or" +r"%nan of dir"cion, !an an
ind"fini"6 as as!"s ar" 'or" %"n"rai&" !an dus.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 54/124
Of S""'in% is"
IT HATH *""n an o+inion, !a !" Fr"nc! ar"
1is"r !an !"# s""', and !" S+aniards s""'
1is"r !an !"# ar". Bu !o1so"&"r i *" *"1""n
naions, c"rain$# i is so *"1""n 'an and 'an.
For as !" A+os$" sai! of %od$in"ss, Ha&in% a
s!o1 of %od$in"ss, *u d"n#in% !" +o1"r !"r"of6
so c"rain$# !"r" ar", in +oin of 1isdo' and suf2
fici"n$#, !a do no!in% or $i$" &"r# so$"'n$#5
'a%no conau nu%as. I is a ridicu$ous !in%, and
fi for a sair" o +"rsons of ;ud%'"n, o s"" 1!a
s!ifs !"s" for'a$iss !a&", and 1!a +ros+"ci&"s
o 'a7" su+"rfici"s o s""' *od#, !a !a! d"+!
and *u$7. So'" ar" so c$os" and r"s"r&"d, as !"#1i$$ no s!o1 !"ir 1ar"s, *u *# a dar7 $i%!6 and
s""' a$1a#s o 7""+ *ac7 so'"1!a6 and 1!"n
!"# 7no1 1i!in !"'s"$&"s, !"# s+"a7 of !a
!"# do no 1"$$ 7no1, 1ou$d n"&"r!"$"ss s""'
o o!"rs, o 7no1 of !a 1!ic! !"# 'a# no 1"$$
s+"a7. So'" !"$+ !"'s"$&"s 1i! coun"nanc"
and %"sur", and ar" 1is" *# si%ns6 as Cic"ro sai!
of (iso, !a 1!"n !" ans1"r"d !i', !" f"c!"d
on" of !is *ro1s u+ o !is for"!"ad, and *"n !"
o!"r do1n o !is c!in6 R"s+ond"s, a$"ro ad fron2
"' su*$ao, a$"ro ad '"nu' d"+r"sso su+"r2
ci$io, crud"$ia"' i*i non +$ac"r". So'" !in7
o *"ar i *# s+"a7in% a %r"a 1ord, and *"in% +"r2
"'+or#6 and %o on, and a7" *# ad'ianc", !a
1!ic! !"# canno 'a7" %ood. So'", 1!aso"&"r
is *"#ond !"ir r"ac!, 1i$$ s""' o d"s+is", or 'a7"
$i%! of i, as i'+"rin"n or curious6 and so 1ou$d
!a&" !"ir i%noranc" s""' ;ud%'"n. So'" ar"
n"&"r 1i!ou a diff"r"nc", and co''on$# *#
a'usin% '"n 1i! a su*i$#, *$anc! !" 'a"r6
of 1!o' A. )"$$ius sai!, Ho'in"' d"$iru', 0ui
&"r*oru' 'inuiis r"ru' fran%i +ond"ra. Of
1!ic! 7ind a$so, ($ao, in !is (roa%oras, *rin%"!
in (rodius in scorn, and 'a7"! !i' 'a7" a
s+""c!, !a consis"! of disincion fro' !" *"2
%innin% o !" "nd. )"n"ra$$#, suc! '"n in a$$
d"$i*"raions find "as" o *" of !" n"%ai&" sid",and aff"c a cr"di o o*;"c and for""$$ difficu$2
i"s6 for 1!"n +ro+osiions ar" d"ni"d, !"r" is an
"nd of !"'6 *u if !"# *" a$$o1"d, i r"0uir"! a
n"1 1or76 1!ic! fa$s" +oin of 1isdo' is !" *an"
of *usin"ss. To conc$ud", !"r" is no d"ca#in% '"r2
c!an, or in1ard *"%%ar, !a! so 'an# ric7s o
u+!o$d !" cr"di of !"ir 1"a$!, as !"s" "'+#
+"rsons !a&", o 'ainain !" cr"di of !"ir suf2
fici"nc#. S""'in% 1is" '"n 'a# 'a7" s!if o %"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 55/124
o+inion6 *u $" no 'an c!oos" !"' for "'+$o#2
'"n6 for c"rain$# #ou 1"r" *""r a7" for *usi2
n"ss, a 'an so'"1!a a*surd, !an o&"r2for'a$.
Of Fri"nds!i+
IT HAD *""n !ard for !i' !a s+a7" i o !a&"
+u 'or" ru! and unru! o%"!"r in f"1
1ords, !an in !a s+""c!, !aso"&"r is d"$i%!"d
in so$iud", is "i!"r a 1i$d *"as or a %od. For i is
'os ru", !a a naura$ and s"cr" !ar"d, and
a&"rsaion o1ards soci"#, in an# 'an, !a!
so'"1!a of !" sa&a%" *"as6 *u i is 'os un2
ru", !a i s!ou$d !a&" an# c!arac"r a a$$, of !"
di&in" naur"6 "c"+ i +roc""d, no ou of a +$"as2
ur" in so$iud", *u ou of a $o&" and d"sir" o
s"0u"s"r a 'an-s s"$f, for a !i%!"r con&"rsaion5
suc! as is found o !a&" *""n fa$s"$# and f"i%n"d$#in so'" of !" !"a!"n6 as E+i'"nid"s !" Can2
dian, Nu'a !" Ro'an, E'+"doc$"s !" Sici$ian,
and A+o$$onius of T#ana6 and ru$# and r"a$$#, in
di&"rs of !" anci"n !"r'is and !o$# fa!"rs of
!" c!urc!. Bu $i$" do '"n +"rc"i&" 1!a so$i2
ud" is, and !o1 far i ""nd"!. For a cro1d is
no co'+an#6 and fac"s ar" *u a %a$$"r# of +ic2
ur"s6 and a$7 *u a in7$in% c#'*a$, 1!"r"
!"r" is no $o&". T!" Lain ada%" '"""! 1i! i a
$i$"5 Ma%na ci&ias, 'a%na so$iudo6 *"caus" in
a %r"a o1n fri"nds ar" sca"r"d6 so !a !"r" is
no !a f"$$o1s!i+, for !" 'os +ar, 1!ic! is in
$"ss n"i%!*or!oods. Bu 1" 'a# %o fur!"r, and
affir' 'os ru$#, !a i is a '"r" and 'is"ra*$"
so$iud" o 1an ru" fri"nds6 1i!ou 1!ic! !"
1or$d is *u a 1i$d"rn"ss6 and "&"n in !is s"ns"
a$so of so$iud", 1!oso"&"r in !" fra'" of !is
naur" and aff"cions, is unfi for fri"nds!i+, !"
a7"! i of !" *"as, and no fro' !u'ani#.
A +rinci+a$ frui of fri"nds!i+, is !" "as" and
disc!ar%" of !" fu$n"ss and s1"$$in%s of !" !"ar,
1!ic! +assions of a$$ 7inds do caus" and induc".
" 7no1 dis"as"s of so++in%s, and suffocaions,
ar" !" 'os dan%"rous in !" *od#6 and i is no
'uc! o!"r1is" in !" 'ind6 #ou 'a# a7" sar<a
o o+"n !" $i&"r, s""$ o o+"n !" s+$""n, f$o1"rsof su$+!ur for !" $un%s, casor"u' for !" *rain6
*u no r"c"i+ o+"n"! !" !"ar, *u a ru" fri"nd6
o 1!o' #ou 'a# i'+ar %ri"fs, ;o#s, f"ars, !o+"s,
sus+icions, couns"$s, and 1!aso"&"r $i"! u+on
!" !"ar o o++r"ss i, in a 7ind of ci&i$ s!rif or
conf"ssion.
I is a sran%" !in% o o*s"r&", !o1 !i%! a ra"
%r"a 7in%s and 'onarc!s do s" u+on !is frui of
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 56/124
fri"nds!i+, 1!"r"of 1" s+"a75 so %r"a, as !"#
+urc!as" i, 'an# i'"s, a !" !a<ard of !"ir
o1n saf"# and %r"an"ss. For +rinc"s, in r"%ard
of !" disanc" of !"ir forun" fro' !a of !"ir
su*;"cs and s"r&ans, canno %a!"r !is frui, "2
c"+ 8o 'a7" !"'s"$&"s ca+a*$" !"r"of9 !"#
rais" so'" +"rsons o *", as i 1"r", co'+anions
and a$'os "0ua$s o !"'s"$&"s, 1!ic! 'an#
i'"s sor"! o incon&"ni"nc". T!" 'od"rn $an2
%ua%"s %i&" uno suc! +"rsons !" na'" of fa&or2
i"s, or +ri&ado"s6 as if i 1"r" 'a"r of %rac", or
con&"rsaion. Bu !" Ro'an na'" aain"! !"
ru" us" and caus" !"r"of, na'in% !"' +ari2
ci+"s curaru'6 for i is !a 1!ic! i"! !" 7no.
And 1" s"" +$ain$# !a !is !a! *""n don", no
*# 1"a7 and +assiona" +rinc"s on$#, *u *# !"
1is"s and 'os +o$iic !a "&"r r"i%n"d6 1!o
!a&" of"ni'"s ;oin"d o !"'s"$&"s so'" of
!"ir s"r&ans6 1!o' *o! !"'s"$&"s !a&" ca$$"d
fri"nds, and a$$o1"d o!"r $i7"1is" o ca$$ !"' in
!" sa'" 'ann"r6 usin% !" 1ord 1!ic! is r"2c"i&"d *"1""n +ri&a" '"n.
L. S#$$a, 1!"n !" co''and"d Ro'", rais"d
(o'+"# 8af"r surna'"d !" )r"a9 o !a !"i%!,
!a (o'+"# &aun"d !i's"$f for S#$$a-s o&"r2
'ac!. For 1!"n !" !ad carri"d !" consu$s!i+ for
a fri"nd of !is, a%ains !" +ursui of S#$$a, and
!a S#$$a did a $i$" r"s"n !"r"a, and *"%an o
s+"a7 %r"a, (o'+"# urn"d u+on !i' a%ain, and
in "ff"c *ad" !i' *" 0ui"6 for !a 'or" '"n
ador"d !" sun risin%, !an !" sun s"in%. i!
3u$ius Ca"sar, D"ci'us Bruus !ad o*ain"d !a
in"r"s as !" s" !i' do1n in !is "sa'"n, for
!"ir in r"'aind"r, af"r !is n"+!"1. And !is 1as
!" 'an !a !ad +o1"r 1i! !i', o dra1 !i'
for! o !is d"a!. For 1!"n Ca"sar 1ou$d !a&"
disc!ar%"d !" s"na", in r"%ard of so'" i$$ +r"s2
a%"s, and s+"cia$$# a dr"a' of Ca$+urnia6 !is
'an $if"d !i' %"n$# *# !" ar' ou of !is c!air,
"$$in% !i' !" !o+"d !" 1ou$d no dis'iss !"
s"na", i$$ !is 1if" !ad dr"a' a *""r dr"a'.
And i s""'"! !is fa&or 1as so %r"a, as Anonius,
in a $""r 1!ic! is r"ci"d &"r*ai' in on" of
Cic"ro-s (!i$i++ics, ca$$"! !i' &"n"fica, 1ic!6
as if !" !ad "nc!an"d Ca"sar. Au%usus rais"d
A%ri++a 8!ou%! of '"an *ir!9 o !a !"i%!, as
1!"n !" consu$"d 1i! Ma"c"nas, a*ou !" 'ar2ria%" of !is dau%!"r 3u$ia, Ma"c"nas oo7 !"
$i*"r# o "$$ !i', !a !" 'us "i!"r 'arr# !is
dau%!"r o A%ri++a, or a7" a1a# !is $if"6 !"r"
1as no !ird 1a#, !" !ad 'ad" !i' so %r"a. i!
Ti*"rius Ca"sar, S";anus !ad asc"nd"d o !a
!"i%!, as !"# 1o 1"r" "r'"d, and r"c7on"d, as
a +air of fri"nds. Ti*"rius in a $""r o !i' sai!,
Ha"c +ro a'iciia nosra non occu$a&i6 and !"
1!o$" s"na" d"dica"d an a$ar o Fri"nds!i+, as
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 57/124
o a %odd"ss, in r"s+"c of !" %r"a d"arn"ss of
fri"nds!i+, *"1""n !"' 1o. T!" $i7", or 'or",
1as *"1""n S"+i'ius S"&"rus and ($auianus.
For !" forc"d !is "$d"s son o 'arr# !" dau%!"r
of ($auianus6 and 1ou$d of"n 'ainain ($au2
ianus, in doin% affrons o !is son6 and did 1ri"
a$so in a $""r o !" s"na", *# !"s" 1ords5 I $o&"
!" 'an so 1"$$, as I 1is! !" 'a# o&"r2$i&" '".
No1 if !"s" +rinc"s !ad *""n as a Tra;an, or a
Marcus Aur"$ius, a 'an 'i%! !a&" !ou%! !a
!is !ad +roc""d"d of an a*undan %oodn"ss of
naur"6 *u *"in% '"n so 1is", of suc! sr"n%!
and s"&"ri# of 'ind, and so "r"'" $o&"rs of
!"'s"$&"s, as a$$ !"s" 1"r", i +ro&"! 'os
+$ain$# !a !"# found !"ir o1n f"$ici# 8!ou%!
as %r"a as "&"r !a++"n"d o 'ora$ '"n9 *u as
an !a$f +i"c", "c"+ !"# 'ou%! !a&" a fri"nd,
o 'a7" i "nir"6 and #", 1!ic! is 'or", !"#
1"r" +rinc"s !a !ad 1i&"s, sons, n"+!"1s6 and
#" a$$ !"s" cou$d no su++$# !" co'for of fri"nd2
s!i+.
I is no o *" for%o"n, 1!a Co'in"us o*s"r&2
"! of !is firs 'as"r, Du7" C!ar$"s !" Hard#,
na'"$#, !a !" 1ou$d co''unica" !is s"cr"s
1i! non"6 and $"as of a$$, !os" s"cr"s 1!ic!
rou*$"d !i' 'os. !"r"u+on !" %o"! on, and
sai! !a o1ards !is $a"r i'", !a c$os"n"ss
did i'+air, and a $i$" +"ris! !is und"rsandin%.
Sur"$# Co'in"us 'ou%! !a&" 'ad" !" sa'"
;ud%'"n a$so, if i !ad +$"as"d !i', of !is s"cond
'as"r, L"1is !" E$"&"n!, 1!os" c$os"n"ss 1as
ind""d !is or'"nor. T!" +ara*$" of (#!a%oras
is dar7, *u ru"6 Cor n" "dio6 Ea no !" !"ar.
C"rain$#, if a 'an 1ou$d %i&" i a !ard +!ras",
!os" !a 1an fri"nds, o o+"n !"'s"$&"s uno,
ar" carnni*a$s of !"ir o1n !"ars. Bu on" !in%
is 'os ad'ira*$" 81!"r"1i! I 1i$$ conc$ud" !is
firs frui of fri"nds!i+9, 1!ic! is, !a !is co'2
'unicain% of a 'an-s s"$f o !is fri"nd, 1or7s
1o conrar# "ff"cs6 for i r"dou*$"! ;o#s, and
cu"! %ri"fs in !a$&"s. For !"r" is no 'an, !a
i'+ar"! !is ;o#s o !is fri"nd, *u !" ;o#"! !"
'or"6 and no 'an !a i'+ar"! !is %ri"fs o !is
fri"nd, *u !" %ri"&"! !" $"ss. So !a i is in ru!,
of o+"raion u+on a 'an-s 'ind, of $i7" &iru" as
!" a$c!"'iss us" o ari*u" o !"ir son", for
'an-s *od#6 !a i 1or7"! a$$ conrar# "ff"cs,*u si$$ o !" %ood and *"n"fi of naur". Bu #"
1i!ou +ra#in% in aid of a$c!"'iss, !"r" is a
'anif"s i'a%" of !is, in !" ordinar# cours" of
naur". For in *odi"s, union sr"n%!"n"! and
c!"ris!"! an# naura$ acion6 and on !" o!"r
sid", 1"a7"n"! and du$$"! an# &io$"n i'+r"s2
sion5 and "&"n so i is of 'inds.
T!" s"cond frui of fri"nds!i+, is !"a$!fu$ and
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 58/124
so&"r"i%n for !" und"rsandin%, as !" firs is for
!" aff"cions. For fri"nds!i+ 'a7"! ind""d a fair
da# in !" aff"cions, fro' sor' and "'+"ss6 *u
i 'a7"! da#$i%! in !" und"rsandin%, ou of
dar7n"ss, and confusion of !ou%!s. N"i!"r is
!is o *" und"rsood on$# of fai!fu$ couns"$,
1!ic! a 'an r"c"i&"! fro' !is fri"nd6 *u *"for"
#ou co'" o !a, c"rain i is, !a 1!oso"&"r !a!
!is 'ind frau%! 1i! 'an# !ou%!s, !is 1is
and und"rsandin% do c$arif# and *r"a7 u+, in !"
co''unicain% and discoursin% 1i! ano!"r6 !"
oss"! !is !ou%!s 'or" "asi$#6 !" 'ars!a$$"!
!"' 'or" ord"r$#, !" s""! !o1 !"# $oo7 1!"n
!"# ar" urn"d ino 1ords5 fina$$#, !" 1a"!
1is"r !an !i's"$f6 and !a 'or" *# an !our-s
discours", !an *# a da#-s '"diaion. I 1as 1"$$
said *# T!"'isoc$"s, o !" 7in% of ("rsia, T!a
s+""c! 1as $i7" c$o! of Arras, o+"n"d and +u
a*road6 1!"r"*# !" i'a%"r# do! a++"ar in
fi%ur"6 1!"r"as in !ou%!s !"# $i" *u as in
+ac7s. N"i!"r is !is s"cond frui of fri"nds!i+, ino+"nin% !" und"rsandin%, r"srain"d on$# o
suc! fri"nds as ar" a*$" o %i&" a 'an couns"$6
8!"# ind""d ar" *"s69 *u "&"n 1i!ou !a, a
'an $"arn"! of !i's"$f, and *rin%"! !is o1n
!ou%!s o $i%!, and 1!""! !is 1is as a%ains
a son", 1!ic! is"$f cus no. In a 1ord, a 'an
1"r" *""r r"$a" !i's"$f o a saua, or +icur",
!an o suff"r !is !ou%!s o +ass in s'o!"r.
Add no1, o 'a7" !is s"cond frui of fri"nds!i+
co'+$"", !a o!"r +oin, 1!ic! $i"! 'or" o+"n,
and fa$$"! 1i!in &u$%ar o*s"r&aion6 1!ic! is
fai!fu$ couns"$ fro' a fri"nd. H"rac$ius sai!
1"$$ in on" of !is "ni%'as, Dr# $i%! is "&"r !"
*"s. And c"rain i is, !a !" $i%! !a a 'an
r"c"i&"! *# couns"$ fro' ano!"r, is dri"r and
+ur"r, !an !a 1!ic! co'"! fro' !is o1n
und"rsandin% and ;ud%'"n6 1!ic! is "&"r in2
fus"d, and dr"nc!"d, in !is aff"cions and cuso's.
So as !"r" is as 'uc! diff"r"nc" *"1""n !" coun2
s"$, !a a fri"nd %i&"!, and !a a 'an %i&"!
!i's"$f, as !"r" is *"1""n !" couns"$ of a fri"nd,
and of a f$a"r"r. For !"r" is no suc! f$a"r"r as
is a 'an-s s"$f6 and !"r" is no suc! r"'"d# a%ains
f$a"r# of a 'an-s s"$f, as !" $i*"r# of a fri"nd.
Couns"$ is of 1o sors5 !" on" conc"rnin% 'an2
n"rs, !" o!"r conc"rnin% *usin"ss. For !" firs,!" *"s +r"s"r&ai&" o 7""+ !" 'ind in !"a$!, is
!" fai!fu$ ad'oniion of a fri"nd. T!" ca$$in% of
a 'an-s s"$f o a sric accoun, is a '"dicin", so'"2
i'" oo +i"rcin% and corrosi&". R"adin% %ood
*oo7s of 'ora$i#, is a $i$" f$a and d"ad. O*s"r&2
in% our fau$s in o!"rs, is so'"i'"s i'+ro+"r for
our cas". Bu !" *"s r"c"i+ 8*"s, I sa#, o 1or7,
and *"s o a7"9 is !" ad'oniion of a fri"nd.
I is a sran%" !in% o *"!o$d, 1!a %ross "rrors
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 59/124
and "r"'" a*surdii"s 'an# 8"s+"cia$$# of !"
%r"a"r sor9 do co''i, for 1an of a fri"nd o "$$
!"' of !"'6 o !" %r"a da'a%" *o! of !"ir
fa'" and forun"5 for, as S. 3a'"s sai!, !"# ar"
as '"n !a $oo7 so'"i'"s ino a %$ass, and +r"s2
"n$# for%" !"ir o1n s!a+" and fa&or. As for
*usin"ss, a 'an 'a# !in7, if !" 1in, !a 1o
"#"s s"" no 'or" !an on"6 or !a a %a'"s"r s""!
a$1a#s 'or" !an a $oo7"r2on6 or !a a 'an in
an%"r, is as 1is" as !" !a !a! said o&"r !" four
and 1"n# $""rs6 or !a a 'us7" 'a# *" s!o
off as 1"$$ u+on !" ar', as u+on a r"s6 and suc!
o!"r fond and !i%! i'a%inaions, o !in7 !i'2
s"$f a$$ in a$$. Bu 1!"n a$$ is don", !" !"$+ of %ood
couns"$, is !a 1!ic! s""! *usin"ss srai%!.
And if an# 'an !in7 !a !" 1i$$ a7" couns"$,
*u i s!a$$ *" *# +i"c"s6 as7in% couns"$ in on"
*usin"ss, of on" 'an, and in ano!"r *usin"ss, of
ano!"r 'an6 i is 1"$$ 8!a is o sa#, *""r, +"r2
!a+s, !an if !" as7"d non" a a$$96 *u !" runn"!
1o dan%"rs5 on", !a !" s!a$$ no *" fai!fu$$#couns"$$"d6 for i is a rar" !in%, "c"+ i *" fro'
a +"rf"c and "nir" fri"nd, o !a&" couns"$ %i&"n,
*u suc! as s!a$$ *" *o1"d and croo7"d o so'"
"nds, 1!ic! !" !a!, !a %i&"! i. T!" o!"r, !a
!" s!a$$ !a&" couns"$ %i&"n, !urfu$ and unsaf"
8!ou%! 1i! %ood '"anin%9, and 'i"d +ar$# of
'isc!i"f and +ar$# of r"'"d#6 "&"n as if #ou
1ou$d ca$$ a +!#sician, !a is !ou%! %ood for
!" cur" of !" dis"as" #ou co'+$ain of, *u is unac2
0uain"d 1i! #our *od#6 and !"r"for" 'a# +u
#ou in 1a# for a +r"s"n cur", *u o&"r!ro1"!
#our !"a$! in so'" o!"r 7ind6 and so cur" !"
dis"as", and 7i$$ !" +ai"n. Bu a fri"nd !a is
1!o$$# ac0uain"d 1i! a 'an-s "sa", 1i$$ *"2
1ar", *# fur!"rin% an# +r"s"n *usin"ss, !o1 !"
das!"! u+on o!"r incon&"ni"nc". And !"r"for"
r"s no u+on sca"r"d couns"$s6 !"# 1i$$ ra!"r
disrac and 'is$"ad, !an s"$" and dir"c.
Af"r !"s" 1o no*$" fruis of fri"nds!i+ 8+"ac"
in !" aff"cions, and su++or of !" ;ud%'"n9,
fo$$o1"! !" $as frui6 1!ic! is $i7" !" +o'"2
%rana", fu$$ of 'an# 7"rn"$s6 I '"an aid, and
*"arin% a +ar, in a$$ acions and occasions. H"r"
!" *"s 1a# o r"+r"s"n o $if" !" 'anifo$d us"
of fri"nds!i+, is o cas and s"" !o1 'an# !in%s
!"r" ar", 1!ic! a 'an canno do !i's"$f6 and!"n i 1i$$ a++"ar, !a i 1as a s+arin% s+""c! of
!" anci"ns, o sa#, !a a fri"nd is ano!"r !i'2
s"$f6 for !a a fri"nd is far 'or" !an !i's"$f.
M"n !a&" !"ir i'", and di" 'an# i'"s, in d"2
sir" of so'" !in%s 1!ic! !"# +rinci+a$$# a7" o
!"ar6 !" *"so1in% of a c!i$d, !" finis!in% of a
1or7, or !" $i7". If a 'an !a&" a ru" fri"nd, !"
'a# r"s a$'os s"cur" !a !" car" of !os" !in%s
1i$$ coninu" af"r !i'. So !a a 'an !a!, as i
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 60/124
1"r", 1o $i&"s in !is d"sir"s. A 'an !a! a *od#,
and !a *od# is confin"d o a +$ac"6 *u 1!"r"
fri"nds!i+ is, a$$ offic"s of $if" ar" as i 1"r" %ran"d
o !i', and !is d"+u#. For !" 'a# ""rcis" !"'
*# !is fri"nd. Ho1 'an# !in%s ar" !"r" 1!ic!
a 'an canno, 1i! an# fac" or co'"$in"ss, sa# or
do !i's"$f: A 'an can scarc" a$$"%" !is o1n
'"ris 1i! 'od"s#, 'uc! $"ss "o$ !"'6 a 'an
canno so'"i'"s *roo7 o su++$ica" or *"%6 and
a nu'*"r of !" $i7". Bu a$$ !"s" !in%s ar" %rac"2
fu$, in a fri"nd-s 'ou!, 1!ic! ar" *$us!in% in a
'an-s o1n. So a%ain, a 'an-s +"rson !a! 'an#
+ro+"r r"$aions, 1!ic! !" canno +u off. A 'an
canno s+"a7 o !is son *u as a fa!"r6 o !is 1if"
*u as a !us*and6 o !is "n"'# *u u+on "r's5
1!"r"as a fri"nd 'a# s+"a7 as !" cas" r"0uir"s,
and no as i sor"! 1i! !" +"rson. Bu o "nu2
'"ra" !"s" !in%s 1"r" "nd$"ss6 I !a&" %i&"n !"
ru$", 1!"r" a 'an canno fi$# +$a# !is o1n +ar6
if !" !a&" no a fri"nd, !" 'a# 0ui !" sa%".
Of E+"ns"
RICHES ar" for s+"ndin%, and s+"ndin% for
!onor and %ood acions. T!"r"for" "ra2
ordinar# "+"ns" 'us *" $i'i"d *# !" 1or! of
!" occasion6 for &o$unar# undoin%, 'a# *" as
1"$$ for a 'an-s counr#, as for !" 7in%do' of
!"a&"n. Bu ordinar# "+"ns", ou%! o *" $i'i"d
*# a 'an-s "sa"6 and %o&"rn"d 1i! suc! r"%ard,
as i *" 1i!in !is co'+ass6 and no su*;"c o d"2
c"i and a*us" of s"r&ans6 and ord"r"d o !" *"s
s!o1, !a !" *i$$s 'a# *" $"ss !an !" "si'a2
ion a*road. C"rain$#, if a 'an 1i$$ 7""+ *u of
"&"n !and, !is ordinar# "+"ns"s ou%! o *" *u
o !" !a$f of !is r"c"i+s6 and if !" !in7 o 1a
ric!, *u o !" !ird +ar. I is no *as"n"ss, for !"
%r"a"s o d"sc"nd and $oo7 ino !"ir o1n "sa".
So'" for*"ar i, no u+on n"%$i%"nc" a$on", *u
dou*in% o *rin% !"'s"$&"s ino '"$anc!o$#, in
r"s+"c !"# s!a$$ find i *ro7"n. Bu 1ounds can2
no *" cur"d 1i!ou s"arc!in%. H" !a canno
$oo7 ino !is o1n "sa" a a$$, !ad n""d *o! c!oos"
1"$$ !os" 1!o' !" "'+$o#"!, and c!an%" !"'
of"n6 for n"1 ar" 'or" i'orous and $"ss su*$".H" !a can $oo7 ino !is "sa" *u s"$do', i *"2
!oo&"! !i' o urn a$$ o c"raini"s. A 'an !ad
n""d, if !" *" +$"nifu$ in so'" 7ind of "+"ns", o
*" as sa&in% a%ain in so'" o!"r. As if !" *" +$"ni2
fu$ in di", o *" sa&in% in a++ar"$6 if !" *" +$"ni2
fu$ in !" !a$$, o *" sa&in% in !" sa*$"6 and !"
$i7". For !" !a is +$"nifu$ in "+"ns"s of a$$ 7inds,
1i$$ !ard$# *" +r"s"r&"d fro' d"ca#. In c$"arin%
of a 'an-s "sa", !" 'a# as 1"$$ !ur !i's"$f in
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 61/124
*"in% oo sudd"n, as in $"in% i run on oo $on%.
For !as# s"$$in%, is co''on$# as disad&ana%"2
a*$" as in"r"s. B"sid"s, !" !a c$"ars a onc" 1i$$
r"$a+s"6 for findin% !i's"$f ou of srais, !" 1i$$
r"&"r o !is cuso'5 *u !" !a c$"ar"! *# d"2
%r""s, induc"! a !a*i of fru%a$i#, and %ain"!
as 1"$$ u+on !is 'ind, as u+on !is "sa". C"r2
ain$#, 1!o !a! a sa" o r"+air, 'a# no d"s+is"
s'a$$ !in%s6 and co''on$# i is $"ss dis!onor2
a*$", o a*rid%" +"# c!ar%"s, !an o soo+ o
+"# %"in%s. A 'an ou%! 1ari$# o *"%in
c!ar%"s 1!ic! onc" *"%un 1i$$ coninu"6 *u in
'a"rs !a r"urn no, !" 'a# *" 'or" 'a%ni2
fic"n.
Of !" Tru"
)REATNESS OF /IN)2
DOMS AND ESTATES
THE s+""c! of T!"'isoc$"s !" A!"nian,
1!ic! 1as !au%!# and arro%an, in a7in%
so 'uc! o !i's"$f, !ad *""n a %ra&" and 1is"
o*s"r&aion and c"nsur", a++$i"d a $ar%" o o!"rs.
D"sir"d a a f"as o ouc! a $u", !" said, H" cou$d
no fidd$", *u #" !" cou$d 'a7" a s'a$$ o1n, a
%r"a ci#. T!"s" 1ords 8!o$+"n a $i$" 1i! a
'"a+!or9 'a# "+r"ss 1o diff"rin% a*i$ii"s, in
!os" !a d"a$ in *usin"ss of "sa". For if a ru"
sur&"# *" a7"n of couns"$$ors and sa"s'"n,
!"r" 'a# *" found 8!ou%! rar"$#9 !os" 1!ic!
can 'a7" a s'a$$ sa" %r"a, and #" canno fid2
d$"6 as on !" o!"r sid", !"r" 1i$$ *" found a %r"a
'an#, !a can fidd$" &"r# cunnin%$#, *u #" ar"
so far fro' *"in% a*$" o 'a7" a s'a$$ sa" %r"a,
as !"ir %if $i"! !" o!"r 1a#6 o *rin% a %r"a
and f$ouris!in% "sa", o ruin and d"ca#. And c"r2
ain$# 1!os" d"%"n"ra" ars and s!ifs, 1!"r"*#
'an# couns"$$ors and %o&"rnors %ain *o! fa&or
1i! !"ir 'as"rs, and "si'aion 1i! !" &u$%ar,
d"s"r&" no *""r na'" !an fidd$in%6 *"in% !in%s
ra!"r +$"asin% for !" i'", and %rac"fu$ o !"'2
s"$&"s on$#, !an "ndin% o !" 1"a$ and ad&anc"2
'"n of !" sa" 1!ic! !"# s"r&". T!"r" ar" a$so
8no dou*9 couns"$$ors and %o&"rnors 1!ic! 'a#*" !"$d suffici"n 8n"%oiis +ar"s9, a*$" o 'ana%"
affairs, and o 7""+ !"' fro' +r"ci+ic"s and
'anif"s incon&"ni"nc"s6 1!ic! n"&"r!"$"ss ar"
far fro' !" a*i$i# o rais" and a'+$if# an "sa"
in +o1"r, '"ans, and forun". Bu *" !" 1or7'"n
1!a !"# 'a# *", $" us s+"a7 of !" 1or76 !a
is, !" ru" %r"an"ss of 7in%do's and "sa"s, and
!" '"ans !"r"of. An ar%u'"n fi for %r"a and
'i%!# +rinc"s o !a&" in !"ir !and6 o !" "nd
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 62/124
!a n"i!"r *# o&"r2'"asurin% !"ir forc"s, !"#
$""s" !"'s"$&"s in &ain "n"r+ris"s6 nor on !"
o!"r sid", *# und"r&a$uin% !"', !"# d"sc"nd o
f"arfu$ and +usi$$ani'ous couns"$s.
T!" %r"an"ss of an "sa", in *u$7 and "rrior#,
do! fa$$ und"r '"asur"6 and !" %r"an"ss of
financ"s and r"&"nu", do! fa$$ und"r co'+ua2
ion. T!" +o+u$aion 'a# a++"ar *# 'us"rs6 and
!" nu'*"r and %r"an"ss of cii"s and o1ns *#
cards and 'a+s. Bu #" !"r" is no an# !in%
a'on%s ci&i$ affairs 'or" su*;"c o "rror, !an
!" ri%! &a$uaion and ru" ;ud%'"n conc"rnin%
!" +o1"r and forc"s of an "sa". T!" 7in%do' of
!"a&"n is co'+ar"d, no o an# %r"a 7"rn"$ or nu,
*u o a %rain of 'usard2s""d5 1!ic! is on" of !"
$"as %rains, *u !a! in i a +ro+"r# and s+iri
!asi$# o %" u+ and s+r"ad. So ar" !"r" sa"s,
%r"a in "rrior#, and #" no a+ o "n$ar%" or
co''and6 and so'" !a !a&" *u a s'a$$ di'"n2
sion of s"', and #" a+ o *" !" foundaions of%r"a 'onarc!i"s.
a$$"d o1ns, sor"d ars"na$s and ar'ori"s,
%ood$# rac"s of !ors", c!arios of 1ar, "$"+!ans,
ordnanc", ari$$"r#, and !" $i7"6 a$$ !is is *u a
s!""+ in a $ion-s s7in, "c"+ !" *r""d and dis+osi2
ion of !" +"o+$", *" sou and 1ar$i7". Na#, nu'2
*"r 8is"$f9 in ar'i"s i'+or"! no 'uc!, 1!"r"
!" +"o+$" is of 1"a7 coura%"6 for 8as Vir%i$ sai!9
I n"&"r rou*$"s a 1o$f, !o1 'an# !" s!""+ *".
T!" ar'# of !" ("rsians, in !" +$ains of Ar*"$a,
1as suc! a &as s"a of +"o+$", as i did so'"1!a
asonis! !" co''and"rs in A$"and"r-s ar'#6
1!o ca'" o !i' !"r"for", and 1is!"d !i' o s"
u+on !"' *# ni%!6 and !" ans1"r"d, H" 1ou$d
no +i$f"r !" &icor#. And !" d"f"a 1as "as#.
!"n Ti%ran"s !" Ar'"nian, *"in% "nca'+"d
u+on a !i$$ 1i! four !undr"d !ousand '"n, dis2
co&"r"d !" ar'# of !" Ro'ans, *"in% no a*o&"
four""n !ousand, 'arc!in% o1ards !i', !"
'ad" !i's"$f '"rr# 1i! i, and said, Yond"r '"n
ar" oo 'an# for an "'*assa%", and oo f"1 for a
fi%!. Bu *"for" !" sun s", !" found !"' "no1
o %i&" !i' !" c!as" 1i! infini" s$au%!"r.
Man# ar" !" "a'+$"s of !" %r"a odds, *"1""n
nu'*"r and coura%"6 so !a a 'an 'a# ru$#
'a7" a ;ud%'"n, !a !" +rinci+a$ +oin of %r"a2n"ss in an# sa", is o !a&" a rac" of 'i$iar# '"n.
N"i!"r is 'on"# !" sin"1s of 1ar 8as i is ri&ia$$#
said9, 1!"r" !" sin"1s of '"n-s ar's, in *as" and
"ff"'ina" +"o+$", ar" fai$in%. For So$on said 1"$$
o Cro"sus 81!"n in os"naion !" s!o1"d !i' !is
%o$d9, Sir, if an# o!"r co'", !a !a! *""r iron,
!an #ou, !" 1i$$ *" 'as"r of a$$ !is %o$d. T!"r"2
for" $" an# +rinc" or sa" !in7 so$"$# of !is forc"s,
"c"+ !is 'i$iia of nai&"s *" of %ood and &a$ian
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 63/124
so$di"rs. And $" +rinc"s, on !" o!"r sid", !a
!a&" su*;"cs of 'aria$ dis+osiion, 7no1 !"ir
o1n sr"n%!6 un$"ss !"# *" o!"r1is" 1anin%
uno !"'s"$&"s. As for '"rc"nar# forc"s 81!ic!
is !" !"$+ in !is cas"9, a$$ "a'+$"s s!o1, !a
1!aso"&"r "sa" or +rinc" do! r"s u+on !"',
!" 'a# s+r"ad !is f"a!"rs for a i'", *u !" 1i$$
'"1 !"' soon af"r.
T!" *$"ssin% of 3uda! and Issac!ar 1i$$ n"&"r
'""6 !a !" sa'" +"o+$", or naion, s!ou$d *"
*o! !" $ion-s 1!"$+ and !" ass *"1""n *ur2
!"ns6 n"i!"r 1i$$ i *", !a a +"o+$" o&"r$aid
1i! a"s, s!ou$d "&"r *"co'" &a$ian and 'ar2
ia$. I is ru" !a a"s $"&i"d *# cons"n of !"
"sa", do a*a" '"n-s coura%" $"ss5 as i !a! *""n
s""n noa*$#, in !" "cis"s of !" Lo1 Counri"s6
and, in so'" d"%r"", in !" su*sidi"s of En%$and.
For #ou 'us no", !a 1" s+"a7 no1 of !" !"ar,
and no of !" +urs". So !a a$!ou%! !" sa'"
ri*u" and a, $aid *# cons"n or *# i'+osin%, *"a$$ on" o !" +urs", #" i 1or7s di&"rs"$# u+on !"
coura%". So !a #ou 'a# conc$ud", !a no +"o+$"
o&"rc!ar%"d 1i! ri*u", is fi for "'+ir".
L" sa"s !a ai' a %r"an"ss, a7" !""d !o1
!"ir no*i$i# and %"n$"'"n do 'u$i+$# oo fas.
For !a 'a7"! !" co''on su*;"c, %ro1 o *" a
+"asan and *as" s1ain, dri&"n ou of !"ar, and in
"ff"c *u !" %"n$"'an-s $a*or"r. E&"n as #ou
'a# s"" in co++ic" 1oods6 if #ou $"a&" #our sad2
d$"s oo !ic7, #ou s!a$$ n"&"r !a&" c$"an und"r2
1ood, *u s!ru*s and *us!"s. So in counri"s, if !"
%"n$"'"n *" oo 'an#, !" co''ons 1i$$ *" *as"6
and #ou 1i$$ *rin% i o !a, !a no !" !undr"d
+o$$, 1i$$ *" fi for an !"$'"6 "s+"cia$$# as o !"
infanr#, 1!ic! is !" n"r&" of an ar'#6 and so
!"r" 1i$$ *" %r"a +o+u$aion, and $i$" sr"n%!.
T!is 1!ic! I s+"a7 of, !a! *""n no1!"r" *""r
s""n, !an *# co'+arin% of En%$and and Franc"6
1!"r"of En%$and, !ou%! far $"ss in "rrior# and
+o+u$aion, !a! *""n 8n"&"r!"$"ss9 an o&"r2
'ac!6 in r"%ard !" 'idd$" +"o+$" of En%$and
'a7" %ood so$di"rs, 1!ic! !" +"asans of Franc"
do no. And !"r"in !" d"&ic" of 7in% H"nr# !"
S"&"n! 81!"r"of I !a&" s+o7"n $ar%"$# in !"
Hisor# of !is Lif"9 1as +rofound and ad'ira*$"6
in 'a7in% far's and !ous"s of !us*andr# of asandard6 !a is, 'ainain"d 1i! suc! a +ro+or2
ion of $and uno !"', as 'a# *r""d a su*;"c o
$i&" in con&"ni"n +$"n# and no s"r&i$" condiion6
and o 7""+ !" +$ou%! in !" !ands of !" o1n"rs,
and no '"r" !ir"$in%s. And !us ind""d #ou s!a$$
aain o Vir%i$-s c!arac"r 1!ic! !" %i&"s o an2
ci"n Ia$#5
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 64/124
T"rra +o"ns ar'is a0u" u*"r" %$"*a".
N"i!"r is !a sa" 81!ic!, for an# !in% I 7no1,
is a$'os +"cu$iar o En%$and, and !ard$# o *"
found an#1!"r" "$s", "c"+ i *" +"r!a+s in
(o$and9 o *" +ass"d o&"r6 I '"an !" sa" of fr""
s"r&ans, and a"ndans u+on no*$"'"n and
%"n$"'"n6 1!ic! ar" no 1a#s inf"rior uno !"
#"o'anr# for ar's. And !"r"for" ou of a$$ 0u"s2
ions, !" s+$"ndor and 'a%nific"nc", and %r"a
r"inu"s and !os+ia$i#, of no*$"'"n and %"n$"2
'"n, r"c"i&"d ino cuso', do! 'uc! conduc"
uno 'aria$ %r"an"ss. !"r"as, conrari1is", !"
c$os" and r"s"r&"d $i&in% of no*$"'"n and %"n$"2
'"n, caus"! a +"nur# of 'i$iar# forc"s.
B# a$$ '"ans i is o *" +rocur"d, !a !" run7
of N"*uc!adn"<<ar-s r"" of 'onarc!#, *" %r"a
"nou%! o *"ar !" *ranc!"s and !" *ou%!s6 !a
is, !a !" naura$ su*;"cs of !" cro1n or sa",
*"ar a suffici"n +ro+orion o !" sran%"r su*2;"cs, !a !"# %o&"rn.T!"r"for" a$$ sa"s !a ar"
$i*"ra$ of naura$i<aion o1ards sran%"rs, ar" fi
for "'+ir". For o !in7 !a an !andfu$ of +"o+$"
can, 1i! !" %r"a"s coura%" and +o$ic# in !"
1or$d, "'*rac" oo $ar%" ""n of do'inion, i
'a# !o$d for a i'", *u i 1i$$ fai$ sudd"n$#. T!"
S+arans 1"r" a nic" +"o+$" in +oin of naura$i<a2
ion6 1!"r"*#, 1!i$" !"# 7"+ !"ir co'+ass,
!"# sood fir'6 *u 1!"n !"# did s+r"ad, and
!"ir *ou%!s 1"r" *"co'"n oo %r"a for !"ir
s"', !"# *"ca'" a 1indfa$$, u+on !" sudd"n.
N"&"r an# sa" 1as in !is +oin so o+"n o r"c"i&"
sran%"rs ino !"ir *od#, as 1"r" !" Ro'ans.
T!"r"for" i sor"d 1i! !"' accordin%$#6 for
!"# %r"1 o !" %r"a"s 'onarc!#. T!"ir 'ann"r
1as o %ran naura$i<aion 81!ic! !"# ca$$"d ;us
ci&iais9, and o %ran i in !" !i%!"s d"%r""6 !a
is, no on$# ;us co''"rcii, ;us connu*ii, ;us !a"r"2
diais6 *u a$so ;us suffra%ii, and ;us !onoru'.
And !is no o sin%u$ar +"rsons a$on", *u $i7"1is"
o 1!o$" fa'i$i"s6 #"a o cii"s, and so'"i'"s o
naions. Add o !is !"ir cuso' of +$anaion of
co$oni"s6 1!"r"*# !" Ro'an +$an 1as r"'o&"d
ino !" soi$ of o!"r naions. And +uin% *o!
consiuions o%"!"r, #ou 1i$$ sa# !a i 1as no
!" Ro'ans !a s+r"ad u+on !" 1or$d, *u i 1as
!" 1or$d !a s+r"ad u+on !" Ro'ans6 and !a1as !" sur" 1a# of %r"an"ss. I !a&" 'ar&"$$"d,
so'"i'"s, a S+ain, !o1 !"# c$as+ and conain
so $ar%" do'inions, 1i! so f"1 naura$ S+aniards6
*u sur" !" 1!o$" co'+ass of S+ain, is a &"r# %r"a
*od# of a r""6 far a*o&" Ro'" and S+ara a !"
firs. And *"sid"s, !ou%! !"# !a&" no !ad !a
usa%", o naura$i<" $i*"ra$$#, #" !"# !a&" !a
1!ic! is n" o i6 !a is, o "'+$o#, a$'os indif2
f"r"n$#, a$$ naions in !"ir 'i$iia of ordinar#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 65/124
so$di"rs6 #"a, and so'"i'"s in !"ir !i%!"s co'2
'ands. Na#, i s""'"! a !is insan !"# ar"
s"nsi*$", of !is 1an of nai&"s6 as *# !" (ra%2
'aica$ Sancion, no1 +u*$is!"d, a++"ar"!.
I is c"rain !a s"d"nar#, and 1i!in2door
ars, and d"$ica" 'anufacur"s 8!a r"0uir"
ra!"r !" fin%"r !an !" ar'9, !a&", in !"ir na2
ur", a conrari"# o a 'i$iar# dis+osiion. And
%"n"ra$$#, a$$ 1ar$i7" +"o+$" ar" a $i$" id$", and
$o&" dan%"r *""r !an ra&ai$. N"i!"r 'us !"#
*" oo 'uc! *ro7"n of i, if !"# s!a$$ *" +r"s"r&"d
in &i%or. T!"r"for" i 1as %r"a ad&ana%", in !"
anci"n sa"s of S+ara, A!"ns, Ro'", and o!"rs,
!a !"# !ad !" us" of s$a&"s, 1!ic! co''on$#
did rid !os" 'anufacur"s. Bu !a is a*o$is!"d,
in %r"a"s +ar, *# !" C!risian $a1. T!a 1!ic!
co'"! n"ar"s o i, is o $"a&" !os" ars c!i"f$# o
sran%"rs 81!ic!, for !a +ur+os", ar" !" 'or"
"asi$# o *" r"c"i&"d9, and o conain !" +rinci+a$
*u$7 of !" &u$%ar nai&"s, 1i!in !os" !r""7inds, 2 i$$"rs of !" %round6 fr"" s"r&ans6 and
!andicrafs'"n of sron% and 'an$# ars, as
s'i!s, 'asons, car+"n"rs, "c.6 no r"c7onin%
+rof"ss"d so$di"rs.
Bu a*o&" a$$, for "'+ir" and %r"an"ss, i i'2
+or"! 'os, !a a naion do +rof"ss ar's, as !"ir
+rinci+a$ !onor, sud#, and occu+aion. For !"
!in%s 1!ic! 1" for'"r$# !a&" s+o7"n of, ar" *u
!a*i$iaions o1ards ar's6 and 1!a is !a*i$ia2
ion 1i!ou in"nion and ac: Ro'u$us, af"r !is
d"a! 8as !"# r"+or or f"i%n9, s"n a +r"s"n o !"
Ro'ans, !a a*o&" a$$, !"# s!ou$d in"nd ar's6
and !"n !"# s!ou$d +ro&" !" %r"a"s "'+ir" of
!" 1or$d. T!" fa*ric of !" sa" of S+ara 1as
1!o$$# 8!ou%! no 1is"$#9 fra'"d and co'+os"d,
o !a sco+" and "nd. T!" ("rsians and Mac"do2
nians !ad i for a f$as!. T!" )au$s, )"r'ans,
)o!s, Saons, Nor'ans, and o!"rs, !ad i for a
i'". T!" Tur7s !a&" i a !is da#, !ou%! in %r"a
d"c$inaion. Of C!risian Euro+", !"# !a !a&" i
ar", in "ff"c, on$# !" S+aniards. Bu i is so
+$ain, !a "&"r# 'an +rofi"! in !a, !" 'os
in"nd"!, !a i n""d"! no o *" sood u+on. I
is "nou%! o +oin a i6 !a no naion 1!ic! do!
no dir"c$# +rof"ss ar's, 'a# $oo7 o !a&" %r"a2
n"ss fa$$ ino !"ir 'ou!s. And on !" o!"r sid",i is a 'os c"rain orac$" of i'", !a !os" sa"s
!a coninu" $on% in !a +rof"ssion 8as !" Ro2
'ans and Tur7s +rinci+a$$# !a&" don"9 do 1on2
d"rs. And !os" !a !a&" +rof"ss"d ar's *u for
an a%", !a&", no1i!sandin%, co''on$# a2
ain"d !a %r"an"ss, in !a a%", 1!ic! 'ain2
ain"d !"' $on% af"r, 1!"n !"ir +rof"ssion and
""rcis" of ar's !a! %ro1n o d"ca#.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 66/124
Incid"n o !is +oin is, for a sa" o !a&" !os"
$a1s or cuso's, 1!ic! 'a# r"ac! for! uno !"'
;us occasions 8as 'a# *" +r""nd"d9 of 1ar. For
!"r" is !a ;usic", i'+rin"d in !" naur" of
'"n, !a !"# "n"r no u+on 1ars 81!"r"of so
'an# ca$a'ii"s do "nsu"9 *u u+on so'", a !"
$"as s+"cious, %rounds and 0uarr"$s. T!" Tur7
!a! a !and, for caus" of 1ar, !" +ro+a%aion of
!is $a1 or s"c6 a 0uarr"$ !a !" 'a# a$1a#s co'2
'and. T!" Ro'ans, !ou%! !"# "s""'"d !"
""ndin% !" $i'is of !"ir "'+ir", o *" %r"a
!onor o !"ir %"n"ra$s, 1!"n i 1as don", #" !"#
n"&"r r"s"d u+on !a a$on", o *"%in a 1ar. Firs,
!"r"for", $" naions !a +r""nd o %r"an"ss
!a&" !is6 !a !"# *" s"nsi*$" of 1ron%s, "i!"r
u+on *ord"r"rs, '"rc!ans, or +o$iic 'inis"rs6
and !a !"# si no oo $on% u+on a +ro&ocaion.
S"cond$#, $" !"' *" +r"s, and r"ad# o %i&" aids
and succors, o !"ir conf"d"ra"s6 as i "&"r 1as
1i! !" Ro'ans6 inso'uc!, as if !" conf"d"ra"
!ad $"a%u"s d"f"nsi&", 1i! di&"rs o!"r sa"s,and, u+on in&asion off"r"d, did i'+$or" !"ir aids
s"&"ra$$#, #" !" Ro'ans 1ou$d "&"r *" !" for"2
'os, and $"a&" i o non" o!"r o !a&" !" !onor.
As for !" 1ars 1!ic! 1"r" anci"n$# 'ad", on
!" *"!a$f of a 7ind of +ar#, or aci confor'i# of
"sa", I do no s"" !o1 !"# 'a# *" 1"$$ ;usifi"d5
as 1!"n !" Ro'ans 'ad" a 1ar, for !" $i*"r# of
)r"cia6 or 1!"n !" Lac"da"'onians and A!"2
nians, 'ad" 1ars o s" u+ or +u$$ do1n d"'oc2
raci"s and o$i%arc!i"s6 or 1!"n 1ars 1"r" 'ad"
*# for"i%n"rs, und"r !" +r""nc" of ;usic" or +ro2
"cion, o d"$i&"r !" su*;"cs of o!"rs, fro'
#rann# and o++r"ssion6 and !" $i7". L" i suf2
fic", !a no "sa" "+"c o *" %r"a, !a is no
a1a7" u+on an# ;us occasion of ar'in%.
No *od# can *" !"a$!fu$ 1i!ou ""rcis",
n"i!"r naura$ *od# nor +o$iic6 and c"rain$# o
a 7in%do' or "sa", a ;us and !onora*$" 1ar, is
!" ru" ""rcis". A ci&i$ 1ar, ind""d, is $i7" !"
!"a of a f"&"r6 *u a for"i%n 1ar is $i7" !" !"a of
""rcis", and s"r&"! o 7""+ !" *od# in !"a$!6
for in a s$o!fu$ +"ac", *o! coura%"s 1i$$ "ff"'i2
na", and 'ann"rs corru+. Bu !o1so"&"r i *"
for !a++in"ss, 1i!ou a$$ 0u"sion, for %r"an"ss,
i 'a7"! o *" si$$ for !" 'os +ar in ar's6 and
!" sr"n%! of a &""ran ar'# 8!ou%! i *" ac!ar%"a*$" *usin"ss9 a$1a#s on foo, is !a 1!ic!
co''on$# %i&"! !" $a1, or a $"as !" r"+ua2
ion, a'on%s a$$ n"i%!*or sa"s6 as 'a# 1"$$ *"
s""n in S+ain, 1!ic! !a! !ad, in on" +ar or o!"r,
a &""ran ar'# a$'os coninua$$#, no1 *# !"
s+ac" of si scor" #"ars.
To *" 'as"r of !" s"a, is an a*rid%'"n of a
'onarc!#. Cic"ro, 1riin% o Aicus of (o'+"#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 67/124
!is +r"+araion a%ains Ca"sar, sai!, Consi$iu'
(o'+"ii +$an" T!"'isoc$"u' "s6 +ua "ni',
0ui 'ari +oiur, "u' r"ru' +oiri. And, 1i!ou
dou*, (o'+"# !ad ir"d ou Ca"sar, if u+on &ain
confid"nc", !" !ad no $"f !a 1a#. " s"" !"
%r"a "ff"cs of *a$"s *& s"a. T!" *a$" of Aciu',
d"cid"d !" "'+ir" of !" 1or$d. T!" *a$" of L"2
+ano, arr"s"d !" %r"an"ss of !" Tur7. T!"r" *"
'an# "a'+$"s, 1!"r" s"a2fi%!s !a&" *""n fina$
o !" 1ar6 *u !is is 1!"n +rinc"s or sa"s !a&"
s" u+ !"ir r"s, u+on !" *a$"s. Bu !us 'uc!
is c"rain, !a !" !a co''ands !" s"a, is a
%r"a $i*"r#, and 'a# a7" as 'uc!, and as $i$",
of !" 1ar as !" 1i$$. !"r"as !os" !a *" sron%2
"s *# $and, ar" 'an# i'"s n"&"r!"$"ss in %r"a
srais. Sur"$#, a !is da#, 1i! us of Euro+", !"
&ana%" of sr"n%! a s"a 81!ic! is on" of !" +rin2
ci+a$ do1ri"s of !is 7in%do' of )r"a Briain9 is
%r"a6 *o! *"caus" 'os of !" 7in%do's of Eu2
ro+", ar" no '"r"$# in$and, *u %ir 1i! !" s"a
'os +ar of !"ir co'+ass6 and *"caus" !" 1"a$!of *o! Indi"s s""'s in %r"a +ar, *u an acc"ssor#
o !" co''and of !" s"as.
T!" 1ars of $a"r a%"s s""' o *" 'ad" in !"
dar7, in r"s+"c of !" %$or#, and !onor, 1!ic!
r"f$"c"d u+on '"n fro' !" 1ars, in anci"n i'".
T!"r" *" no1, for 'aria$ "ncoura%"'"n, so'"
d"%r""s and ord"rs of c!i&a$r#6 1!ic! n"&"r!"$"ss
ar" conf"rr"d +ro'iscuous$#, u+on so$di"rs and
no so$di"rs6 and so'" r"'"'*ranc" +"r!a+s, u+on
!" scuc!"on6 and so'" !os+ia$s for 'ai'"d so$2
di"rs6 and suc! $i7" !in%s. Bu in anci"n i'"s,
!" ro+!i"s "r"c"d u+on !" +$ac" of !" &icor#6
!" fun"ra$ $audai&"s and 'onu'"ns for !os"
!a di"d in !" 1ars6 !" cro1ns and %ar$ands +"r2
sona$6 !" s#$" of "'+"ror, 1!ic! !" %r"a 7in%s
of !" 1or$d af"r *orro1"d6 !" riu'+!s of !"
%"n"ra$s, u+on !"ir r"urn6 !" %r"a donai&"s
and $ar%"ss"s, u+on !" dis*andin% of !" ar'i"s6
1"r" !in%s a*$" o inf$a'" a$$ '"n-s coura%"s.
Bu a*o&" a$$, !a of !" riu'+!, a'on%s !"
Ro'ans, 1as no +a%"ans or %aud"r#, *u on" of
!" 1is"s and no*$"s insiuions, !a "&"r 1as.
For i conain"d !r"" !in%s5 !onor o !" %"n"ra$6
ric!"s o !" r"asur# ou of !" s+oi$s6 and dona2
i&"s o !" ar'#. Bu !a !onor, +"r!a+s 1"r" no
fi for 'onarc!i"s6 "c"+ i *" in !" +"rson of !"'onarc! !i's"$f, or !is sons6 as i ca'" o +ass in
!" i'"s of !" Ro'an "'+"rors, 1!o did i'+ro2
+ria" !" acua$ riu'+!s o !"'s"$&"s, and !"ir
sons, for suc! 1ars as !"# did ac!i"&" in +"rson6
and $"f on$#, for 1ars ac!i"&"d *# su*;"cs, so'"
riu'+!a$ %ar'"ns and "nsi%ns o !" %"n"ra$.
To conc$ud"5 no 'an can *# car" a7in% 8as !"
Scri+ur" sai!9 add a cu*i o !is saur", in !is
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 68/124
$i$" 'od"$ of a 'an-s *od#6 *u in !" %r"a fra'"
of 7in%do's and co''on1"a$!s, i is in !"
+o1"r of +rinc"s or "sa"s, o add a'+$iud" and
%r"an"ss o !"ir 7in%do's6 for *# inroducin%
suc! ordinanc"s, consiuions, and cuso's, as 1"
!a&" no1 ouc!"d, !"# 'a# so1 %r"an"ss o
!"ir +os"ri# and succ"ssion. Bu !"s" !in%s ar"
co''on$# no o*s"r&"d, *u $"f o a7" !"ir
c!anc".
Of R"%i'"n
OF HEALTH
THERE is a 1isdo' in !is6 *"#ond !" ru$"s of
+!#sic5 a 'an-s o1n o*s"r&aion, 1!a !"
finds %ood of, and 1!a !" finds !ur of, is !" *"s
+!#sic o +r"s"r&" !"a$!. Bu i is a saf"r conc$u2
sion o sa#, T!is a%r""! no 1"$$ 1i! '", !"r"2
for", I 1i$$ no coninu" i6 !an !is, I find no
off"nc" of !is, !"r"for" I 'a# us" i. For sr"n%!
of naur" in #ou!, +ass"! o&"r 'an# "c"ss"s,
1!ic! ar" o1in% a 'an i$$ !is a%". Disc"rn of !"
co'in% on of #"ars, and !in7 no o do !" sa'"
!in%s si$$6 for a%" 1i$$ no *" d"fi"d. B"1ar" of
sudd"n c!an%", in an# %r"a +oin of di", and, if
n"c"ssi# "nforc" i, fi !" r"s o i. For i is a s"cr"
*o! in naur" and sa", !a i is saf"r o c!an%"
'an# !in%s, !an on". Ea'in" !# cuso's of
di", s$""+, ""rcis", a++ar"$, and !" $i7"6 and r#,
in an# !in% !ou s!a$ ;ud%" !urfu$, o discon2
inu" i, *# $i$" and $i$"6 *u so, as if !ou dos
find an# incon&"ni"nc" *# !" c!an%", !ou co'"
*ac7 o i a%ain5 for i is !ard o disin%uis! !a
1!ic! is %"n"ra$$# !"$d %ood and 1!o$"so'",
fro' !a 1!ic! is %ood +aricu$ar$#, and fi for
!in" o1n *od#. To *" fr""2'ind"d and c!""rfu$$#
dis+os"d, a !ours of '"a, and of s$""+, and of
""rcis", is on" of !" *"s +r"c"+s of $on% $asin%.As for !" +assions, and sudi"s of !" 'ind6 a&oid
"n&#, anious f"ars6 an%"r fr"in% in1ards6
su*$" and 7no# in0uisiions6 ;o#s and "!i$ara2
ions in "c"ss6 sadn"ss no co''unica"d. En"r2
ain !o+"s6 'ir! ra!"r !an ;o#6 &ari"# of
d"$i%!s, ra!"r !an surf"i of !"'6 1ond"r and
ad'iraion, and !"r"for" no&"$i"s6 sudi"s !a
fi$$ !" 'ind 1i! s+$"ndid and i$$usrious o*;"cs,
as !isori"s, fa*$"s, and con"'+$aions of naur".
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 69/124
If #ou f$# +!#sic in !"a$! a$o%"!"r, i 1i$$ *" oo
sran%" for #our *od#, 1!"n #ou s!a$$ n""d i. If
#ou 'a7" i oo fa'i$iar, i 1i$$ 1or7 no "ra2
ordinar# "ff"c, 1!"n sic7n"ss co'"!. I co''"nd
ra!"r so'" di" for c"rain s"asons, !an fr"0u"n
us" of +!#sic, "c"+ i *" %ro1n ino a cuso'. For
!os" di"s a$"r !" *od# 'or", and rou*$" i $"ss.
D"s+is" no n"1 accid"n in #our *od#, *u as7
o+inion of i. In sic7n"ss, r"s+"c !"a$! +rin2
ci+a$$#6 and in !"a$!, acion. For !os" !a +u
!"ir *odi"s o "ndur" in !"a$!, 'a# in 'os sic72
n"ss"s, 1!ic! ar" no &"r# s!ar+, *" cur"d on$#
1i! di", and "nd"rin%. C"$sus cou$d n"&"r !a&"
s+o7"n i as a +!#sician, !ad !" no *""n a 1is"
'an 1i!a$, 1!"n !" %i&"! i for on" of !" %r"a
+r"c"+s of !"a$! and $asin%, !a a 'an do &ar#,
and in"rc!an%" conrari"s, *u 1i! an inc$ina2
ion o !" 'or" *"ni%n "r"'"5 us" fasin% and
fu$$ "ain%, *u ra!"r fu$$ "ain%6 1ac!in% and
s$""+, *u ra!"r s$""+6 siin% and ""rcis", *u
ra!"r ""rcis"6 and !" $i7". So s!a$$ naur" *"c!"ris!"d, and #" au%! 'as"ri"s. (!#sicians
ar", so'" of !"', so +$"asin% and confor'a*$" o
!" !u'or of !" +ai"n, as !"# +r"ss no !" ru"
cur" of !" dis"as"6 and so'" o!"r ar" so r"%u$ar,
in +roc""din% accordin% o ar for !" dis"as", as
!"# r"s+"c no suffici"n$# !" condiion of !"
+ai"n. Ta7" on" of a 'idd$" "'+"r6 or if i 'a#
no *" found in on" 'an, co'*in" 1o of "i!"r
sor6 and for%" no o ca$$ as 1"$$, !" *"s ac2
0uain"d 1i! #our *od#, as !" *"s r"+u"d of
for !is facu$#.
Of Sus+icion
SUS(ICIONS a'on%s !ou%!s, ar" $i7" *as
a'on%s *irds, !"# "&"r f$# *# 1i$i%!. C"r2
ain$# !"# ar" o *" r"+r"ss"d, or a $"as 1"$$
%uard"d5 for !"# c$oud !" 'ind6 !"# $""s"
fri"nds6 and !"# c!"c7 1i! *usin"ss, 1!"r"*#
*usin"ss canno %o on curr"n$# and consan$#.
T!"# dis+os" 7in%s o #rann#, !us*ands o ;"a$2
ous#, 1is" '"n o irr"so$uion and '"$anc!o$#.
T!"# ar" d"f"cs, no in !" !"ar, *u in !" *rain6for !"# a7" +$ac" in !" sou"s naur"s6 as in !"
"a'+$" of H"nr# !" S"&"n! of En%$and. T!"r"
1as no a 'or" sus+icious 'an, nor a 'or" sou.
And in suc! a co'+osiion !"# do s'a$$ !ur. For
co''on$# !"# ar" no ad'i"d, *u 1i! "a'i2
naion, 1!"!"r !"# *" $i7"$# or no. Bu in f"arfu$
naur"s !"# %ain %round oo fas. T!"r" is no!in%
'a7"s a 'an sus+"c 'uc!, 'or" !an o 7no1
$i$"6 and !"r"for" '"n s!ou$d r"'"d# sus+icion,
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 70/124
*# +rocurin% o 7no1 'or", and no o 7""+ !"ir
sus+icions in s'o!"r. !a 1ou$d '"n !a&": Do
!"# !in7, !os" !"# "'+$o# and d"a$ 1i!, ar"
sains: Do !"# no !in7, !"# 1i$$ !a&" !"ir o1n
"nds, and *" ru"r o !"'s"$&"s, !an o !"':
T!"r"for" !"r" is no *""r 1a#, o 'od"ra" sus2
+icions, !an o accoun u+on suc! sus+icions as
ru", and #" o *rid$" !"' as fa$s". For so far a
'an ou%! o 'a7" us" of sus+icions, as o +ro&id",
as if !a s!ou$d *" ru", !a !" sus+"cs, #" i
'a# do !i' no !ur. Sus+icions !a !" 'ind of
is"$f %a!"rs, ar" *u *u<<"s6 *u sus+icions !a
ar" arificia$$# nouris!"d, and +u ino '"n-s
!"ads, *# !" a$"s and 1!is+"rin%s of o!"rs, !a&"
sin%s. C"rain$#, !" *"s '"an, o c$"ar !" 1a#
in !is sa'" 1ood of sus+icions, is fran7$# o co'2
'unica" !"' 1i! !" +ar#, !a !" sus+"cs6
for !"r"*# !" s!a$$ *" sur" o 7no1 'or" of !"
ru! of !"', !an !" did *"for"6 and 1i!a$ s!a$$
'a7" !a +ar# 'or" circu's+"c, no o %i&"
fur!"r caus" of sus+icion. Bu !is 1ou$d no *"don" o '"n of *as" naur"s6 for !"#, if !"# find
!"'s"$&"s onc" sus+"c"d, 1i$$ n"&"r *" ru". T!"
Ia$ian sa#s, Sos+"o $ic"nia f"d"6 as if sus+icion,
did %i&" a +ass+or o fai!6 *u i ou%!, ra!"r, o
7ind$" i o disc!ar%" is"$f.
Of Discours"
SOME, in !"ir discours", d"sir" ra!"r co'2
'"ndaion of 1i, in *"in% a*$" o !o$d a$$
ar%u'"ns, !an of ;ud%'"n, in disc"rnin% 1!a
is ru"6 as if i 1"r" a +rais", o 7no1 1!a 'i%!
*" said, and no, 1!a s!ou$d *" !ou%!. So'"
!a&" c"rain co''on +$ac"s, and !"'"s, 1!"r"in
!"# ar" %ood and 1an &ari"#6 1!ic! 7ind of
+o&"r# is for !" 'os +ar "dious, and 1!"n i is
onc" +"rc"i&"d, ridicu$ous. T!" !onora*$"s +ar of
a$7, is o %i&" !" occasion6 and a%ain o 'od"ra",
and +ass o so'"1!a "$s"6 for !"n a 'an $"ads !"
danc". I is %ood, in discours" and s+""c! of con2
&"rsaion, o &ar# and in"r'in%$" s+""c! of !"
+r"s"n occasion, 1i! ar%u'"ns, a$"s 1i! r"a2
sons, as7in% of 0u"sions, 1i! "$$in% of o+inions,and ;"s 1i! "arn"s5 for i is a du$$ !in% o ir",
and, as 1" sa# no1, o ;ad", an# !in% oo far. As
for ;"s, !"r" *" c"rain !in%s, 1!ic! ou%! o *"
+ri&i$"%"d fro' i6 na'"$#, r"$i%ion, 'a"rs of
sa", %r"a +"rsons, an# 'an-s +r"s"n *usin"ss of
i'+oranc", and an# cas" !a d"s"r&"! +i#. Y"
!"r" *" so'", !a !in7 !"ir 1is !a&" *""n
as$""+, "c"+ !"# dar ou so'"1!a !a is
+i0uan, and o !" 0uic7. T!a is a &"in 1!ic!
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 71/124
1ou$d *" *rid$"d5
(arc", +u"r, si'u$is, " forius u"r" $oris.
And %"n"ra$$#, '"n ou%! o find !" diff"r"nc",
*"1""n sa$n"ss and *i"rn"ss. C"rain$#, !" !a
!a! a sairica$ &"in, as !" 'a7"! o!"rs afraid of
!is 1i, so !" !ad n""d *" afraid of o!"rs- '"'or#.
H" !a 0u"sion"! 'uc!, s!a$$ $"arn 'uc!, and
con"n 'uc!6 *u "s+"cia$$#, if !" a++$# !is 0u"s2
ions o !" s7i$$ of !" +"rsons 1!o' !" as7"!6 for
!" s!a$$ %i&" !"' occasion, o +$"as" !"'s"$&"s
in s+"a7in%, and !i's"$f s!a$$ coninua$$# %a!"r
7no1$"d%". Bu $" !is 0u"sions no *" rou*$"2
so'"6 for !a is fi for a +os"r. And $" !i' *" sur"
o $"a&" o!"r '"n, !"ir urns o s+"a7. Na#, if
!"r" *" an#, !a 1ou$d r"i%n and a7" u+ a$$
!" i'", $" !i' find '"ans o a7" !"' off,
and o *rin% o!"rs on6 as 'usicians us" o do, 1i!!os" !a danc" oo $on% %a$$iards. If #ou dis2
s"'*$", so'"i'"s, #our 7no1$"d%" of !a #ou
ar" !ou%! o 7no1, #ou s!a$$ *" !ou%!, ano!"r
i'", o 7no1 !a #ou 7no1 no. S+""c! of a
'an-s s"$f ou%! o *" s"$do', and 1"$$ c!os"n. I
7n"1 on", 1as 1on o sa# in scorn, H" 'us n""ds
*" a 1is" 'an, !" s+"a7s so 'uc! of !i's"$f5 and
!"r" is *u on" cas", 1!"r"in a 'an 'a# co'2
'"nd !i's"$f 1i! %ood %rac"6 and !a is in
co''"ndin% &iru" in ano!"r6 "s+"cia$$# if i *"
suc! a &iru", 1!"r"uno !i's"$f +r""nd"!.
S+""c! of ouc! o1ards o!"rs, s!ou$d *" s+ar2
in%$# us"d6 for discours" ou%! o *" as a fi"$d,
1i!ou co'in% !o'" o an# 'an. I 7n"1 1o
no*$"'"n, of !" 1"s +ar of En%$and, 1!"r"of
!" on" 1as %i&"n o scoff, *u 7"+ "&"r ro#a$ c!""r
in !is !ous"6 !" o!"r 1ou$d as7, of !os" !a !ad
*""n a !" o!"r-s a*$", T"$$ ru$#, 1as !"r" n"&"r
a f$ou or dr# *$o1 %i&"n: To 1!ic! !" %u"s
1ou$d ans1"r, Suc! and suc! a !in% +ass"d.
T!" $ord 1ou$d sa#, I !ou%!, !" 1ou$d 'ar a
%ood dinn"r. Discr"ion of s+""c!, is 'or" !an
"$o0u"nc"6 and o s+"a7 a%r""a*$# o !i', 1i!
1!o' 1" d"a$, is 'or" !an o s+"a7 in %ood
1ords, or in %ood ord"r. A %ood coninu"d s+""c!,
1i!ou a %ood s+""c! of in"r$ocuion, s!o1s
s$o1n"ss5 and a %ood r"+$# or s"cond s+""c!, 1i!2ou a %ood s"$"d s+""c!, s!o1"! s!a$$o1n"ss
and 1"a7n"ss. As 1" s"" in *"ass, !a !os" !a
ar" 1"a7"s in !" cours", ar" #" ni'*$"s in !"
urn6 as i is *"1i !" %r"#!ound and !" !ar".
To us" oo 'an# circu'sanc"s, "r" on" co'" o
!" 'a"r, is 1"ariso'"6 o us" non" a a$$, is
*$un.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 72/124
Of ($anaions
(LANTATIONS ar" a'on%s anci"n, +ri'i2
i&", and !"roica$ 1or7s. !"n !" 1or$d 1as
#oun%, i *"%a 'or" c!i$dr"n6 *u no1 i is o$d, i
*"%"s f"1"r5 for I 'a# ;us$# accoun n"1 +$an2
aions, o *" !" c!i$dr"n of for'"r 7in%do's. I
$i7" a +$anaion in a +ur" soi$6 !a is, 1!"r"
+"o+$" ar" no dis+$an"d, o !" "nd, o +$an in
o!"rs. For "$s" i is ra!"r an "ir+aion, !an a
+$anaion. ($anin% of counri"s, is $i7" +$anin%
of 1oods6 for #ou 'us 'a7" accoun o $""s" a$2
'os 1"n# #"ars- +rofi, and "+"c #our r"co'2
+"ns" in !" "nd. For !" +rinci+a$ !in%, !a !a!
*""n !" d"srucion of 'os +$anaions, !a!
*""n !" *as" and !as# dra1in% of +rofi, in !"
firs #"ars. I is ru", s+""d# +rofi is no o *" n"%2
$"c"d, as far as 'a# sand 1i! !" %ood of !"+$anaion, *u no fur!"r. I is a s!a'"fu$ and
un*$"ss"d !in%, o a7" !" scu' of +"o+$", and
1ic7"d cond"'n"d '"n, o *" !" +"o+$" 1i!
1!o' #ou +$an6 and no on$# so, *u i s+oi$"!
!" +$anaion6 for !"# 1i$$ "&"r $i&" $i7" ro%u"s,
and no fa$$ o 1or7, *u *" $a<#, and do 'isc!i"f,
and s+"nd &icua$s, and *" 0uic7$# 1"ar#, and
!"n c"rif# o&"r o !"ir counr#, o !" discr"di
of !" +$anaion. T!" +"o+$" 1!"r"1i! #ou
+$an ou%! o *" %ard"n"rs, +$ou%!'"n, $a*or"rs,
s'i!s, car+"n"rs, ;oin"rs, fis!"r'"n, fo1$"rs,
1i! so'" f"1 a+o!"cari"s, sur%"ons, coo7s, and
*a7"rs. In a counr# of +$anaion, firs $oo7 a*ou,
1!a 7ind of &icua$ !" counr# #i"$ds of is"$f o
!and6 as c!"snus, 1a$nus, +in"a++$"s, o$i&"s,
da"s, +$u's, c!"rri"s, 1i$d !on"#, and !" $i7"6
and 'a7" us" of !"'. T!"n consid"r 1!a &icua$
or "scu$"n !in%s !"r" ar", 1!ic! %ro1 s+""di$#,
and 1i!in !" #"ar6 as +arsni+s, carros, urni+s,
onions, radis!, aric!o7"s of Hi"rusa$"', 'ai<",
and !" $i7". For 1!"a, *ar$"#, and oas, !"# as7
oo 'uc! $a*or6 *u 1i! +"as" and *"ans #ou 'a#
*"%in, *o! *"caus" !"# as7 $"ss $a*or, and *"2
caus" !"# s"r&" for '"a, as 1"$$ as for *r"ad. And
of ric", $i7"1is" co'"! a %r"a incr"as", and i is
a 7ind of '"a. A*o&" a$$, !"r" ou%! o *" *rou%!
sor" of *iscui, oa2'"a$, f$our, '"a$, and !" $i7",in !" *"%innin%, i$$ *r"ad 'a# *" !ad. For *"ass,
or *irds, a7" c!i"f$# suc! as ar" $"as su*;"c o
dis"as"s, and 'u$i+$# fas"s6 as s1in", %oas,
coc7s, !"ns, ur7"#s, %""s", !ous"2do&"s, and !"
$i7". T!" &icua$ in +$anaions, ou%! o *" "2
+"nd"d a$'os as in a *"si"%"d o1n6 !a is, 1i!
c"rain a$$o1anc". And $" !" 'ain +ar of !"
%round, "'+$o#"d o %ard"ns or corn, *" o a co'2
'on soc76 and o *" $aid in, and sor"d u+, and
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 73/124
!"n d"$i&"r"d ou in +ro+orion6 *"sid"s so'"
s+os of %round, !a an# +aricu$ar +"rson 1i$$
'anur" for !is o1n +ri&a". Consid"r $i7"1is"
1!a co''odii"s, !" soi$ 1!"r" !" +$anaion
is, do! naura$$# #i"$d, !a !"# 'a# so'" 1a#
!"$+ o d"fra# !" c!ar%" of !" +$anaion 8so i *"
no, as 1as said, o !" uni'"$# +r";udic" of !"
'ain *usin"ss9, as i !a! far"d 1i! o*acco in
Vir%inia. ood co''on$# a*ound"! *u oo
'uc!6 and !"r"for" i'*"r is fi o *" on". If !"r"
*" iron or", and sr"a's 1!"r"u+on o s" !" 'i$$s,
iron is a *ra&" co''odi# 1!"r" 1ood a*ound"!.
Ma7in% of *a#2sa$, if !" c$i'a" *" +ro+"r for i,
1ou$d *" +u in "+"ri"nc". )ro1in% si$7 $i7"1is",
if an# *", is a $i7"$# co''odi#. (ic! and ar,
1!"r" sor" of firs and +in"s ar", 1i$$ no fai$. So
dru%s and s1"" 1oods, 1!"r" !"# ar", canno
*u #i"$d %r"a +rofi. Soa+2as!"s $i7"1is", and
o!"r !in%s !a 'a# *" !ou%! of. Bu 'oi$ no
oo 'uc! und"r %round6 for !" !o+" of 'in"s is
&"r# unc"rain, and us"! o 'a7" !" +$an"rs$a<#, in o!"r !in%s. For %o&"rn'"n6 $" i *" in
!" !ands of on", assis"d 1i! so'" couns"$6 and
$" !"' !a&" co''ission o ""rcis" 'aria$ $a1s,
1i! so'" $i'iaion. And a*o&" a$$, $" '"n 'a7"
!a +rofi, of *"in% in !" 1i$d"rn"ss, as !"# !a&"
)od a$1a#s, and !is s"r&ic", *"for" !"ir "#"s. L"
no !" %o&"rn'"n of !" +$anaion, d"+"nd
u+on oo 'an# couns"$$ors, and und"ra7"rs, in
!" counr# !a +$an"!, *u u+on a "'+"ra"
nu'*"r6 and $" !os" *" ra!"r no*$"'"n and
%"n$"'"n, !an '"rc!ans6 for !"# $oo7 "&"r o
!" +r"s"n %ain. L" !"r" *" fr""do' fro' cus2
o', i$$ !" +$anaion *" of sr"n%!6 and no
on$# fr""do' fro' cuso', *u fr""do' o carr#
!"ir co''odii"s, 1!"r" !"# 'a# 'a7" !"ir
*"s of !"', "c"+ !"r" *" so'" s+"cia$ caus" of
cauion. Cra' no in +"o+$", *# s"ndin% oo fas
co'+an# af"r co'+an#6 *u ra!"r !ar7"n !o1
!"# 1as", and s"nd su++$i"s +ro+oriona*$#6 *u
so, as !" nu'*"r 'a# $i&" 1"$$ in !" +$anaion,
and no *# surc!ar%" *" in +"nur#. I !a! *""n a
%r"a "ndan%"rin% o !" !"a$! of so'" +$ana2
ions, !a !"# !a&" *ui$ a$on% !" s"a and ri&"rs,
in 'aris! and un1!o$"so'" %rounds. T!"r"for",
!ou%! #ou *"%in !"r", o a&oid carria%" and
$i7" disco''odii"s, #" *ui$d si$$ ra!"r u+1ards
fro' !" sr"a's, !an a$on%. I conc"rn"! $i7"21is" !" !"a$! of !" +$anaion, !a !"# !a&"
%ood sor" of sa$ 1i! !"', !a !"# 'a# us" i
in !"ir &icua$s, 1!"n i s!a$$ *" n"c"ssar#. If #ou
+$an 1!"r" sa&a%"s ar", do no on$# "n"rain
!"', 1i! rif$"s and %in%$"s, *u us" !"' ;us$#
and %racious$#, 1i! suffici"n %uard n"&"r!"$"ss6
and do no 1in !"ir fa&or, *# !"$+in% !"' o in2
&ad" !"ir "n"'i"s, *u for !"ir d"f"nc" i is no
a'iss6 and s"nd of of !"', o&"r o !" counr#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 74/124
!a +$ans, !a !"# 'a# s"" a *""r condiion
!an !"ir o1n, and co''"nd i 1!"n !"# r"2
urn. !"n !" +$anaion %ro1s o sr"n%!, !"n
i is i'" o +$an 1i! 1o'"n, as 1"$$ as 1i!
'"n6 !a !" +$anaion 'a# s+r"ad ino %"n"ra2
ions, and no *" "&"r +i"c"d fro' 1i!ou. I is !"
sinfu$$"s !in% in !" 1or$d, o forsa7" or d"siu"
a +$anaion onc" in for1ardn"ss6 for *"sid"s !"
dis!onor, i is !" %ui$in"ss of *$ood of 'an# co'2
'is"ra*$" +"rsons.
Of Ric!"s
I CANNOT ca$$ ric!"s *""r !an !" *a%%a%"
of &iru". T!" Ro'an 1ord is *""r, i'+"di2'"na. For as !" *a%%a%" is o an ar'#, so is ric!"s
o &iru". I canno *" s+ar"d, nor $"f *"!ind, *u
i !ind"r"! !" 'arc!6 #"a, and !" car" of i,
so'"i'"s $os"! or disur*"! !" &icor#. Of
%r"a ric!"s !"r" is no r"a$ us", "c"+ i *" in !"
disri*uion6 !" r"s is *u conc"i. So sai! So$o2
'on, !"r" 'uc! is, !"r" ar" 'an# o consu'"
i6 and 1!a !a! !" o1n"r, *u !" si%! of i
1i! !is "#"s: T!" +"rsona$ fruiion in an# 'an,
canno r"ac! o f""$ %r"a ric!"s5 !"r" is a cusod#
of !"'6 or a +o1"r of do$", and donai&" of !"'6
or a fa'" of !"'6 *u no so$id us" o !" o1n"r.
Do #ou no s"" 1!a f"i%n"d +ric"s, ar" s" u+on
$i$" son"s and rarii"s: and 1!a 1or7s of os"n2
aion ar" und"ra7"n, *"caus" !"r" 'i%! s""'
o *" so'" us" of %r"a ric!"s: Bu !"n #ou 1i$$
sa#, !"# 'a# *" of us", o *u# '"n ou of dan%"rs
or rou*$"s. As So$o'on sai!, Ric!"s ar" as a
sron% !o$d, in !" i'a%inaion of !" ric! 'an.
Bu !is is "c"$$"n$# "+r"ss"d, !a i is in i'a%i2
naion, and no a$1a#s in fac. For c"rain$# %r"a
ric!"s, !a&" so$d 'or" '"n, !an !"# !a&" *ou%!
ou. S""7 no +roud ric!"s, *u suc! as !ou 'a#"s
%" ;us$#, us" so*"r$#, disri*u" c!""rfu$$#, and
$"a&" con"n"d$#. Y" !a&" no a*srac nor friar$#
con"'+ of !"'. Bu disin%uis!, as Cic"ro sai!
1"$$ of Ra*irius (os!u'us, In sudio r"i a'+$i2ficanda" a++ar"*a, non a&ariia" +ra"da', s"d
insru'"nu' *oniai 0ua"ri. Har7"n a$so o
So$o'on, and *"1ar" of !as# %a!"rin% of ric!"s6
>ui f"sina ad di&iias, non "ri insons. T!" +o"s
f"i%n, !a 1!"n ($uus 81!ic! is Ric!"s9 is s"n
fro' 3u+i"r, !" $i'+s and %o"s s$o1$#6 *u 1!"n
!" is s"n fro' ($uo, !" runs, and is s1if of foo.
M"anin% !a ric!"s %o"n *# %ood '"ans, and
;us $a*or, +ac" s$o1$#6 *u 1!"n !"# co'" *#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 75/124
!" d"a! of o!"rs 8as *# !" cours" of in!"rianc",
"sa'"ns, and !" $i7"9, !"# co'" u'*$in%
u+on a 'an. Bu i 'ou%! *" a++$i"d $i7"1is" o
($uo, a7in% !i' for !" d"&i$. For 1!"n ric!"s
co'" fro' !" d"&i$ 8as *# fraud and o++r"ssion,
and un;us '"ans9, !"# co'" u+on s+""d. T!"
1a#s o "nric! ar" 'an#, and 'os of !"' fou$.
(arsi'on# is on" of !" *"s, and #" is no inno2
c"n6 for i 1i!!o$d"! '"n fro' 1or7s of $i*"ra$2
i# and c!ari#. T!" i'+ro&"'"n of !" %round,
is !" 'os naura$ o*ainin% of ric!"s6 for i is our
%r"a 'o!"r-s *$"ssin%, !" "ar!-s6 *u i is s$o1.
And #" 1!"r" '"n of %r"a 1"a$! do soo+ o
!us*andr#, i 'u$i+$i"! ric!"s "c""din%$#. I
7n"1 a no*$"'an in En%$and, !a !ad !" %r"a2
"s audis of an# 'an in '# i'"6 a %r"a %ra<i"r,
a %r"a s!""+2'as"r, a %r"a i'*"r 'an, a %r"a
co$$i"r, a %r"a corn2'as"r, a %r"a $"ad2'an, and
so of iron, and a nu'*"r of !" $i7" +oins of !us2
*andr#. So as !" "ar! s""'"d a s"a o !i', in
r"s+"c of !" +"r+"ua$ i'+oraion. I 1as ru$#o*s"r&"d *# on", !a !i's"$f ca'" &"r# !ard$#,
o a $i$" ric!"s, and &"r# "asi$#, o %r"a ric!"s.
For 1!"n a 'an-s soc7 is co'" o !a, !a !" can
"+"c !" +ri'" of 'ar7"s, and o&"rco'" !os"
*ar%ains, 1!ic! for !"ir %r"an"ss ar" f"1 '"n-s
'on"#, and *" +arn"r in !" indusri"s of #oun%"r
'"n, !" canno *u incr"as" 'ain$#. T!" %ains of
ordinar# rad"s and &ocaions ar" !on"s6 and
fur!"r"d *# 1o !in%s c!i"f$#5 *# di$i%"nc", and
*# a %ood na'", for %ood and fair d"a$in%. Bu !"
%ains of *ar%ains, ar" of a 'or" dou*fu$ naur"6
1!"n '"n s!a$$ 1ai u+on o!"rs- n"c"ssi#, *ro7"
*# s"r&ans and insru'"ns o dra1 !"' on, +u
off o!"rs cunnin%$#, !a 1ou$d *" *""r c!a+2
'"n, and !" $i7" +racic"s, 1!ic! ar" craf# and
nau%!. As for !" c!o++in% of *ar%ains, 1!"n a
'an *u#s no o !o$d *u o s"$$ o&"r a%ain, !a
co''on$# %rind"! dou*$", *o! u+on !" s"$$"r,
and u+on !" *u#"r. S!arin%s do %r"a$# "nric!,
if !" !ands *" 1"$$ c!os"n, !a ar" rus"d. Usur#
is !" c"rain"s '"ans of %ain, !ou%! on" of !"
1ors6 as !a 1!"r"*# a 'an do! "a !is *r"ad,
in sudor" &u$us a$i"ni6 and *"sid"s, do! +$ou%!
u+on Sunda#s. Bu #" c"rain !ou%! i *", i !a!
f$a1s6 for !a !" scri&"n"rs and *ro7"rs do &a$u"
unsound '"n, o s"r&" !"ir o1n urn. T!" forun"
in *"in% !" firs, in an in&"nion or in a +ri&i$"%",do! caus" so'"i'"s a 1ond"rfu$ o&"r%ro1! in
ric!"s6 as i 1as 1i! !" firs su%ar 'an, in !"
Canari"s. T!"r"for" if a 'an can +$a# !" ru"
$o%ician, o !a&" as 1"$$ ;ud%'"n, as in&"nion,
!" 'a# do %r"a 'a"rs6 "s+"cia$$# if !" i'"s *"
fi. H" !a r"s"! u+on %ains c"rain, s!a$$ !ard$#
%ro1 o %r"a ric!"s6 and !" !a +us a$$ u+on
ad&"nur"s, do! of"ni'"s *r"a7 and co'" o
+o&"r#5 i is %ood, !"r"for", o %uard ad&"nur"s
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 76/124
1i! c"raini"s, !a 'a# u+!o$d $oss"s. Mono+o2
$i"s, and co"'+ion of 1ar"s for r"2sa$", 1!"r"
!"# ar" no r"srain"d, ar" %r"a '"ans o "nric!6
"s+"cia$$# if !" +ar# !a&" in"$$i%"nc", 1!a
!in%s ar" $i7" o co'" ino r"0u"s, and so sor"
!i's"$f *"for"!and. Ric!"s %o"n *# s"r&ic",
!ou%! i *" of !" *"s ris", #" 1!"n !"# ar"
%o"n *# f$a"r#, f""din% !u'ors, and o!"r s"r&2
i$" condiions, !"# 'a# *" +$ac"d a'on%s !"
1ors. As for fis!in% for "sa'"ns and ""cuor2
s!i+s 8as Tacius sai! of S"n"ca, "sa'"na "
or*os a'0ua' inda%in" ca+i9, i is #" 1ors"6 *#
!o1 'uc! '"n su*'i !"'s"$&"s o '"an"r +"r2
sons, !an in s"r&ic". B"$i"&" no 'uc!, !"' !a
s""' o d"s+is" ric!"s6 for !"# d"s+is" !"', !a
d"s+air of !"'6 and non" 1ors", 1!"n !"# co'"
o !"'. B" no +"nn#21is"6 ric!"s !a&" 1in%s,
and so'"i'"s !"# f$# a1a# of !"'s"$&"s, so'"2
i'"s !"# 'us *" s" f$#in%, o *rin% in 'or".
M"n $"a&" !"ir ric!"s, "i!"r o !"ir 7indr"d, or
o !" +u*$ic6 and 'od"ra" +orions, +ros+"r *"sin *o!. A %r"a sa" $"f o an !"ir, is as a $ur" o
a$$ !" *irds of +r"# round a*ou, o s"i<" on !i', if
!" *" no !" *""r sa*$is!"d in #"ars and ;ud%2
'"n. Li7"1is" %$orious %ifs and foundaions, ar"
$i7" sacrific"s 1i!ou sa$6 and *u !" +ain"d
s"+u$c!r"s of a$'s, 1!ic! soon 1i$$ +ur"f#, and
corru+ in1ard$#. T!"r"for" '"asur" no !in"
ad&anc"'"ns, *# 0uani#, *u fra'" !"' *#
'"asur"5 and d"f"r no c!arii"s i$$ d"a!6 for,
c"rain$#, if a 'an 1"i%! i ri%!$#, !" !a do!
so, is ra!"r $i*"ra$ of ano!"r 'an-s, !an of !is
o1n.
Of (ro+!"ci"s
I MEAN no o s+"a7 of di&in" +ro+!"ci"s6 nor
of !"a!"n orac$"s6 nor of naura$ +r"dicions6
*u on$# of +ro+!"ci"s !a !a&" *""n of c"r2
ain '"'or#, and fro' !idd"n caus"s. Sai! !"
(#!onissa o Sau$, To2'orro1 !ou and !# son
s!a$$ *" 1i! '". Ho'"r !a! !"s" &"rs"s5
A do'us AEn"a" cuncis do'ina*iur oris,E nai naoru', " 0ui nasc"nur a* i$$is.
A +ro+!"c#, as i s""'s, of !" Ro'an "'+ir".
S"n"ca !" ra%"dian !a! !"s" &"rs"s5
22V"ni"n annis
Sa"cu$a s"ris, 0ui*us Oc"anus
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 77/124
Vincu$a r"ru' $a", " in%"ns
(a"a T"$$us, Ti+!#s0u" no&os
D""%a or*"s6 n"c si "rris
U$i'a T!u$"5
a +ro+!"c# of !" disco&"r# of A'"rica. T!" dau%!2
"r of (o$#cra"s, dr"a'"d !a 3u+i"r *a!"d !"r
fa!"r, and A+o$$o anoin"d !i'6 and i ca'" o
+ass, !a !" 1as crucifi"d in an o+"n +$ac", 1!"r"
!" sun 'ad" !is *od# run 1i! s1"a, and !"
rain 1as!"d i. (!i$i+ of Mac"don dr"a'"d, !"
s"a$"d u+ *is 1if"-s *"$$#6 1!"r"*# !" did "+ound
i, !a !is 1if" s!ou$d *" *arr"n6 *u Arisand"r
!" soo!sa#"r, o$d !i' !is 1if" 1as 1i! c!i$d,
*"caus" '"n do no us" o s"a$ &"ss"$s, !a ar"
"'+#. A +!anas' !a a++"ar"d o M. Bruus, in
!is "n, said o !i', (!i$i++is i"ru' '" &id"*is.
Ti*"rius said o )a$*a, Tu 0uo0u", )a$*a, d"%usa2
*is i'+"riu'. In V"s+asian-s i'", !"r" 1"n a
+ro+!"c# in !" Eas, !a !os" !a s!ou$d co'"for! of 3ud"a, s!ou$d r"i%n o&"r !" 1or$d5
1!ic! !ou%! i 'a# *" 1as '"an of our Sa&ior6
#" Tacius "+ounds i of V"s+asian. Do'iian
dr"a'"d, !" ni%! *"for" !" 1as s$ain, !a a
%o$d"n !"ad 1as %ro1in%, ou of !" na+" of !is
n"c75 and ind""d, !" succ"ssion !a fo$$o1"d !i'
for 'an# #"ars, 'ad" %o$d"n i'"s. H"nr# !"
Si! of En%$and, said of H"nr# !" S"&"n!, 1!"n
!" 1as a $ad, and %a&" !i' 1a"r, T!is is !" $ad
!a s!a$$ "n;o# !" cro1n, for 1!ic! 1" sri&".
!"n I 1as in Franc", I !"ard fro' on" Dr. ("na,
!a !" >u""n Mo!"r, 1!o 1as %i&"n o curious
ars, caus"d !" /in% !"r !us*and-s nai&i# o *"
ca$cu$a"d, und"r a fa$s" na'"6 and !" asro$o%"r
%a&" a ;ud%'"n, !a !" s!ou$d *" 7i$$"d in a du"$6
a 1!ic! !" >u""n $au%!"d, !in7in% !"r !us2
*and o *" a*o&" c!a$$"n%"s and du"$s5 *u !" 1as
s$ain u+on a cours" a i$, !" s+$in"rs of !" saff
of Mon%o'"r# %oin% in a !is *"a&"r. T!" ri&ia$
+ro+!"c#, 1!ic! I !"ard 1!"n I 1as a c!i$d, and
>u""n E$i<a*"! 1as in !" f$o1"r of !"r #"ars,
1as,
!"n !"'+" is s+un
En%$and-s don"5
1!"r"*# i 1as %"n"ra$$# conc"i&"d, !a af"r !"
+rinc"s !ad r"i%n"d, 1!ic! !ad !" +rinci+a$
$""rs of !a 1ord !"'+" 81!ic! 1"r" H"nr#,
Ed1ard, Mar#, (!i$i+, and E$i<a*"!9, En%$and
s!ou$d co'" o u"r confusion6 1!ic!, !an7s *"
o )od, is &"rifi"d on$# in !" c!an%" of !" na'"6
for !a !" /in%-s s#$", is no1 no 'or" of En%2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 78/124
$and *u of Briain. T!"r" 1as a$so ano!"r +ro+!2
"c#, *"for" !" #"ar of -@@, 1!ic! I do no 1"$$
und"rsand.
T!"r" s!a$$ *" s""n u+on a da#,
B"1""n !" Bau%! and !" Ma#,
T!" *$ac7 f$"" of Nor1a#.
!"n !a !a is co'" and %on",
En%$and *ui$d !ous"s of $i'" and son",
For af"r 1ars s!a$$ #ou !a&" non".
I 1as %"n"ra$$# conc"i&"d o *" '"an, of !"
S+anis! f$"" !a ca'" in -@@5 for !a !" 7in% of
S+ain-s surna'", as !"# sa#, is Nor1a#. T!" +r"2
dicion of R"%io'onanus,
Oco%"si'us oca&us 'ira*i$is annus,
1as !ou%! $i7"1is" acco'+$is!"d in !" s"ndin%
of !a %r"a f$"", *"in% !" %r"a"s in sr"n%!,
!ou%! no in nu'*"r, of a$$ !a "&"r s1a' u+on
!" s"a. As for C$"on-s dr"a', I !in7 i 1as a ;"s.
I 1as, !a !" 1as d"&our"d of a $on% dra%on6 and
i 1as "+ound"d of a 'a7"r of sausa%"s, !a
rou*$"d !i' "c""din%$#. T!"r" ar" nu'*"rs of
!" $i7" 7ind6 "s+"cia$$# if #ou inc$ud" dr"a's, and
+r"dicions of asro$o%#. Bu I !a&" s" do1n !"s"
f"1 on$#, of c"rain cr"di, for "a'+$". M# ;ud%2
'"n is, !a !"# ou%! a$$ o *" d"s+is"d6 and
ou%! o s"r&" *u for 1in"r a$7 *# !" fir"sid".
T!ou%! 1!"n I sa# d"s+is"d, I '"an i as for *"2
$i"f6 for o!"r1is", !" s+r"adin%, or +u*$is!in%,
of !"', is in no sor o *" d"s+is"d. For !"# !a&"
don" 'uc! 'isc!i"f6 and I s"" 'an# s"&"r" $a1s
'ad", o su++r"ss !"'. T!a !a !a! %i&"n !"'
%rac", and so'" cr"di, consis"! in !r"" !in%s.
Firs, !a '"n 'ar7 1!"n !"# !i, and n"&"r
'ar7 1!"n !"# 'iss6 as !"# do %"n"ra$$# a$so of
dr"a's. T!" s"cond is, !a +ro*a*$" con;"cur"s,
or o*scur" radiions, 'an# i'"s urn !"'s"$&"s
ino +ro+!"ci"s6 1!i$" !" naur" of 'an, 1!ic!
co&""! di&inaion, !in7s i no +"ri$ o for""$$
!a 1!ic! ind""d !"# do *u co$$"c. As !a of
S"n"ca-s &"rs". For so 'uc! 1as !"n su*;"c od"'onsraion, !a !" %$o*" of !" "ar! !ad
%r"a +ars *"#ond !" A$anic, 1!ic! 'ou%!
*" +ro*a*$# conc"i&"d no o *" a$$ s"a5 and addin%
!"r"o !" radiion in ($ao-s Ti'a"us, and !is
A$anicus, i 'ou%! "ncoura%" on" o urn i o
a +r"dicion. T!" !ird and $as 81!ic! is !" %r"a
on"9 is, !a a$'os a$$ of !"', *"in% infini" in
nu'*"r, !a&" *""n i'+osur"s, and *# id$" and
craf# *rains '"r"$# conri&"d and f"i%n"d, af"r
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 79/124
!" "&"n +as.
Of A'*iion
AMBITION is $i7" c!o$"r6 1!ic! is an !u'or
!a 'a7"! '"n aci&", "arn"s, fu$$ of a$ac2
ri#, and sirrin%, if i *" no so++"d. Bu if i *"
so++"d, and canno !a&" !is 1a#, i *"co'"!
adus, and !"r"*# 'a$i%n and &"no'ous. So a'2
*iious '"n, if !"# find !" 1a# o+"n for !"ir
risin%, and si$$ %" for1ard, !"# ar" ra!"r *us#
!an dan%"rous6 *u if !"# *" c!"c7"d in !"ir
d"sir"s, !"# *"co'" s"cr"$# discon"n, and $oo7
u+on '"n and 'a"rs 1i! an "&i$ "#", and ar"
*"s +$"as"d, 1!"n !in%s %o *ac71ard6 1!ic! is
!" 1ors +ro+"r# in a s"r&an of a +rinc", or sa".T!"r"for" i is %ood for +rinc"s, if !"# us" a'*i2
ious '"n, o !and$" i, so as !"# *" si$$ +ro%r"s2
si&" and no r"ro%rad"6 1!ic!, *"caus" i canno
*" 1i!ou incon&"ni"nc", i is %ood no o us" suc!
naur"s a a$$. For if !"# ris" no 1i! !"ir s"r&ic",
!"# 1i$$ a7" ord"r, o 'a7" !"ir s"r&ic" fa$$ 1i!
!"'. Bu sinc" 1" !a&" said, i 1"r" %ood no o
us" '"n of a'*iious naur"s, "c"+ i *" u+on
n"c"ssi#, i is fi 1" s+"a7, in 1!a cas"s !"# ar"
of n"c"ssi#. )ood co''and"rs in !" 1ars 'us
*" a7"n, *" !"# n"&"r so a'*iious6 for !" us"
of !"ir s"r&ic", dis+"ns"! 1i! !" r"s6 and o
a7" a so$di"r 1i!ou a'*iion, is o +u$$ off !is
s+urs. T!"r" is a$so %r"a us" of a'*iious '"n, in
*"in% scr""ns o +rinc"s in 'a"rs of dan%"r and
"n for no 'an 1i$$ a7" !a +ar, "c"+ !" *"
$i7" a s""$"d do&", !a 'ouns and 'ouns, *"2
caus" !" canno s"" a*ou !i'. T!"r" is us" a$so of
a'*iious '"n, in +u$$in% do1n !" %r"an"ss of
an# su*;"c !a o&"ro+s6 as Ti*"rius us"d Marco,
in !" +u$$in% do1n of S";anus. Sinc", !"r"for",
!"# 'us *" us"d in suc! cas"s, !"r" r"s"! o
s+"a7, !o1 !"# ar" o *" *rid$"d, !a !"# 'a# *"
$"ss dan%"rous. T!"r" is $"ss dan%"r of !"', if !"#
*" of '"an *ir!, !an if !"# *" no*$"6 and if !"#
*" ra!"r !ars! of naur", !an %racious and +o+u2
$ar5 and if !"# *" ra!"r n"1 rais"d, !an %ro1ncunnin%, and forifi"d, in !"ir %r"an"ss. I is
coun"d *# so'", a 1"a7n"ss in +rinc"s, o !a&"
fa&ori"s6 *u i is, of a$$ o!"rs, !" *"s r"'"d#
a%ains a'*iious %r"a2on"s. For 1!"n !" 1a#
of +$"asurin%, and dis+$"asurin%, $i"! *# !"
fa&ori", i is i'+ossi*$" an# o!"r s!ou$d *" o&"r2
%r"a. Ano!"r '"ans o cur* !"', is o *a$anc"
!"' *# o!"rs, as +roud as !"#. Bu !"n !"r"
'us *" so'" 'idd$" couns"$$ors, o 7""+ !in%s
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 80/124
s"ad#6 for 1i!ou !a *a$$as, !" s!i+ 1i$$ ro$$
oo 'uc!. A !" $"as, a +rinc" 'a# ani'a"
and inur" so'" '"an"r +"rsons, o *" as i 1"r"
scour%"s, o a'*iions '"n. As for !" !a&in% of
!"' o*noious o ruin6 if !"# *" of f"arfu$
naur"s, i 'a# do 1"$$6 *u if !"# *" sou and
darin%, i 'a# +r"ci+ia" !"ir d"si%ns, and +ro&"
dan%"rous. As for !" +u$$in% of !"' do1n, if !"
affairs r"0uir" i, and !a i 'a# no *" don" 1i!
saf"# sudd"n$#, !" on$# 1a# is !" in"rc!an%",
coninua$$#, of fa&ors and dis%rac"s6 1!"r"*#
!"# 'a# no 7no1 1!a o "+"c, and *", as i
1"r", in a 1ood. Of a'*iions, i is $"ss !ar'fu$,
!" a'*iion o +r"&ai$ in %r"a !in%s, !an !a
o!"r, o a++"ar in "&"r# !in%6 for !a *r""ds
confusion, and 'ars *usin"ss. Bu #" i is $"ss dan2
%"r, o !a&" an a'*iious 'an sirrin% in *usin"ss,
!an %r"a in d"+"nd"nc"s. H" !a s""7"! o *"
"'in"n a'on%s a*$" '"n, !a! a %r"a as76 *u
!a is "&"r %ood for !" +u*$ic. Bu !", !a +$os
o *" !" on$# fi%ur" a'on%s ci+!"rs, is !" d"ca#of a 1!o$" a%". Honor !a! !r"" !in%s in i5 !"
&ana%" %round o do %ood6 !" a++roac! o 7in%s
and +rinci+a$ +"rsons6 and !" raisin% of a 'an-s
o1n forun"s. H" !a !a! !" *"s of !"s" in"n2
ions, 1!"n !" as+ir"!, is an !on"s 'an6 and !a
+rinc", !a can disc"rn of !"s" in"nions in an2
o!"r !a as+ir"!, is a 1is" +rinc". )"n"ra$$#, $"
+rinc"s and sa"s c!oos" suc! 'inis"rs, as ar"
'or" s"nsi*$" of du# !an of usin%6 and suc! as
$o&" *usin"ss ra!"r u+on consci"nc", !an u+on
*ra&"r#, and $" !"' disc"rn a *us# naur", fro'
a 1i$$in% 'ind.
Of Mas0u"s
AND TRIUM(HS
THESE !in%s ar" *u o#s, o co'" a'on%s
suc! s"rious o*s"r&aions. Bu #", sinc"
+rinc"s 1i$$ !a&" suc! !in%s, i is *""r !"#
s!ou$d *" %rac"d 1i! "$"%anc#, !an dau*"d 1i!
cos. Dancin% o son%, is a !in% of %r"a sa" and+$"asur". I und"rsand i, !a !" son% *" in 0uir",
+$ac"d a$of, and acco'+ani"d 1i! so'" *ro7"n
'usic6 and !" di# fi"d o !" d"&ic". Acin% in
son%, "s+"cia$$# in dia$o%u"s, !a! an "r"'"
%ood %rac"6 I sa# acin%, no dancin% 8for !a is a
'"an and &u$%ar !in%96 and !" &oic"s of !" dia2
$o%u" 1ou$d *" sron% and 'an$# 8a *as" and a
"nor6 no r"*$"96 and !" di# !i%! and ra%ica$6
no nic" or dain#. S"&"ra$ 0uir"s, +$ac"d on" o&"r
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 81/124
a%ains ano!"r, and a7in% !" &oic" *# cac!"s,
an!"'21is", %i&" %r"a +$"asur". Turnin% danc"s
ino fi%ur", is a c!i$dis! curiosi#. And %"n"ra$$#
$" i *" no"d, !a !os" !in%s 1!ic! I !"r" s"
do1n, ar" suc! as do naura$$# a7" !" s"ns", and
no r"s+"c +"# 1ond"r'"ns. I is ru", !" a$2
"raions of sc"n"s, so i *" 0ui"$# and 1i!ou
nois", ar" !in%s of %r"a *"au# and +$"asur"6 for
!"# f""d and r"$i"&" !" "#", *"for" i *" fu$$ of
!" sa'" o*;"c. L" !" sc"n"s a*ound 1i! $i%!,
s+"cia$$# co$or"d and &ari"d6 and $" !" 'as0u"rs,
or an# o!"r, !a ar" o co'" do1n fro' !"
sc"n", !a&" so'" 'oions u+on !" sc"n" is"$f,
*"for" !"ir co'in% do1n6 for i dra1s !" "#"
sran%"$#, and 'a7"s i, 1i! %r"a +$"asur", o
d"sir" o s"", !a i canno +"rf"c$# disc"rn. L"
!" son%s *" $oud and c!""rfu$, and no c!ir+in%s
or +u$in%s. L" !" 'usic $i7"1is" *" s!ar+ and
$oud, and 1"$$ +$ac"d. T!" co$ors !a s!o1 *"s *#
cand$"2$i%! ar" 1!i", carnaion, and a 7ind of
s"a21a"r2%r""n6 and o"s, or s+an%s, as !"# ar" ofno %r"a cos, so !"# ar" of 'os %$or#. As for ric!
"'*roid"r#, i is $os and no disc"rn"d. L" !"
suis of !" 'as0u"rs *" %rac"fu$, and suc! as *"2
co'" !" +"rson, 1!"n !" &i<ors ar" off6 no af"r
"a'+$"s of 7no1n air"s6 Tur7", so$di"rs, 'ari2
n"rs-, and !" $i7". L" ani2'as0u"s no *" $on%6
!"# !a&" *""n co''on$# of foo$s, sa#rs, *a*oons,
1i$d2'"n, anics, *"ass, s+ri"s, 1ic!"s, E!io+s,
+i%'i"s, ur0u"s, n#'+!s, rusics, Cu+ids, sauas
'o&in%, and !" $i7". As for an%"$s, i is no co'i2
ca$ "nou%!, o +u !"' in ani2'as0u"s6 and
an#!in% !a is !id"ous, as d"&i$s, %ians, is on
!" o!"r sid" as unfi. Bu c!i"f$#, $" !" 'usic
of !"' *" r"cr"ai&", and 1i! so'" sran%"
c!an%"s. So'" s1"" odors sudd"n$# co'in% for!,
1i!ou an# dro+s fa$$in%, ar", in suc! a co'+an#
as !"r" is s"a' and !"a, !in%s of %r"a +$"asur"
and r"fr"s!'"n. Dou*$" 'as0u"s, on" of '"n,
ano!"r of $adi"s, add"! sa" and &ari"#. Bu a$$
is no!in% "c"+ !" roo' *" 7"+ c$"ar and n"a.
For ;uss, and ourn"#s, and *arri"rs6 !" %$ori"s
of !"' ar" c!i"f$# in !" c!arios, 1!"r"in !"
c!a$$"n%"rs 'a7" !"ir "nr#6 "s+"cia$$# if !"#
*" dra1n 1i! sran%" *"ass5 as $ions, *"ars,
ca'"$s, and !" $i7"6 or in !" d"&ic"s of !"ir "n2
ranc"6 or in !" *ra&"r# of !"ir $i&"ri"s6 or in !"%ood$# furniur" of !"ir !ors"s and ar'or. Bu
"nou%! of !"s" o#s.
Of Naur"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 82/124
IN MEN
NATURE is of"n !idd"n6 so'"i'"s o&"r2
co'"6 s"$do' "in%uis!"d. Forc", 'a7"!
naur" 'or" &io$"n in !" r"urn6 docrin" and dis2
cours", 'a7"! naur" $"ss i'+orun"6 *u cuso'
on$# do! a$"r and su*du" naur". H" !a s""7"!
&icor# o&"r !is naur", $" !i' no s" !i's"$f oo
%r"a, nor oo s'a$$ as7s6 for !" firs 1i$$ 'a7"
!i' d";"c"d *# of"n fai$in%s6 and !" s"cond 1i$$
'a7" !i' a s'a$$ +roc""d"r, !ou%! *# of"n +r"2
&ai$in%s. And a !" firs $" !i' +racis" 1i!
!"$+s, as s1i''"rs do 1i! *$add"rs or rus!"s6
*u af"r a i'" $" !i' +racis" 1i! disad&an2
a%"s, as danc"rs do 1i! !ic7 s!o"s. For i *r""ds
%r"a +"rf"cion, if !" +racic" *" !ard"r !an !"
us". !"r" naur" is 'i%!#, and !"r"for" !"
&icor# !ard, !" d"%r""s !ad n""d *", firs o sa#
and arr"s naur" in i'"6 $i7" o !i' !a 1ou$dsa# o&"r !" four and 1"n# $""rs 1!"n !" 1as
an%r#6 !"n o %o $"ss in 0uani#6 as if on" s!ou$d,
in for*"arin% 1in", co'" fro' drin7in% !"a$!s,
o a drau%! a a '"a$6 and $as$#, o disconinu"
a$o%"!"r. Bu if a 'an !a&" !" foriud", and
r"so$uion, o "nfranc!is" !i's"$f a onc", !a is
!" *"s5
O+i'us i$$" ani'i &ind" $a"d"nia +"cus
Vincu$a 0ui ru+i, d"do$ui0u" s"'"$.
N"i!"r is !" anci"n ru$" a'iss, o *"nd naur",
as a 1and, o a conrar# "r"'", 1!"r"*# o s" i
ri%!, und"rsandin% i, 1!"r" !" conrar# "2
r"'" is no &ic". L" no a 'an forc" a !a*i u+on
!i's"$f, 1i! a +"r+"ua$ coninuanc", *u 1i!
so'" in"r'ission. For *o! !" +aus" r"inforc"!
!" n"1 ons"6 and if a 'an !a is no +"rf"c, *"
"&"r in +racic", !" s!a$$ as 1"$$ +racis" !is "rrors,
as !is a*i$ii"s, and induc" on" !a*i of *o!6 and
!"r" is no '"ans o !"$+ !is, *u *# s"asona*$"
in"r'issions. Bu $" no a 'an rus !is &icor#
o&"r !is naur", oo far6 for naur" 1i$$ $a# *uri"d
a %r"a i'", and #" r"&i&", u+on !" occasion or
"'+aion. Li7" as i 1as 1i! AEso+-s da's"$,urn"d fro' a ca o a 1o'an, 1!o sa &"r# d"2
'u"$# a !" *oard-s "nd, i$$ a 'ous" ran *"for"
!"r. T!"r"for", $" a 'an "i!"r a&oid !" occasion
a$o%"!"r6 or +u !i's"$f of"n o i, !a !" 'a#
*" $i$" 'o&"d 1i! i. A 'an-s naur" is *"s +"r2
c"i&"d in +ri&a"n"ss, for !"r" is no aff"caion6
in +assion, for !a +u"! a 'an ou of !is +r"2
c"+s6 and in a n"1 cas" or "+"ri'"n, for !"r"
cuso' $"a&"! !i'. T!"# ar" !a++# '"n, 1!os"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 83/124
naur"s sor 1i! !"ir &ocaions6 o!"r1is" !"#
'a# sa#, 'u$u' inco$a fui ani'a '"a6 1!"n
!"# con&"rs" in !os" !in%s, !"# do no aff"c.
In sudi"s, 1!aso"&"r a 'an co''and"! u+on
!i's"$f, $" !i' s" !ours for i6 *u 1!aso"&"r is
a%r""a*$" o !is naur", $" !i' a7" no car" for
an# s" i'"s6 for !is !ou%!s 1i$$ f$# o i, of
!"'s"$&"s6 so as !" s+ac"s of o!"r *usin"ss, or
sudi"s, 1i$$ suffic". A 'an-s naur", runs "i!"r o
!"r*s or 1""ds6 !"r"for" $" !i' s"asona*$# 1a"r
!" on", and d"sro# !" o!"r.
Of Cuso'
AND EDUCATION
MEN-S !ou%!s, ar" 'uc! accordin% o !"ir
inc$inaion6 !"ir discours" and s+""c!"s,
accordin% o !"ir $"arnin% and infus"d o+inions6
*u !"ir d""ds, ar" af"r as !"# !a&" *""n accus2
o'"d. And !"r"for", as Mac!ia&"$ 1"$$ no"!
8!ou%! in an "&i$2fa&or"d insanc"9, !"r" is no
rusin% o !" forc" of naur", nor o !" *ra&"r#
of 1ords, "c"+ i *" corro*ora" *# cuso'. His
insanc" is, !a for !" ac!i"&in% of a d"s+"ra"
cons+irac#, a 'an s!ou$d no r"s u+on !" fi"rc"2
n"ss of an# 'an-s naur", or !is r"so$u" und"r2
a7in%s6 *u a7" suc! an on", as !a! !ad !is
!ands for'"r$# in *$ood. Bu Mac!ia&"$ 7n"1 no
of a Friar C$"'"n, nor a Ra&i$$ac, nor a 3aur"%u#,
nor a Ba$a<ar )"rard6 #" !is ru$" !o$d"! si$$,
!a naur", nor !" "n%a%"'"n of 1ords, ar" no
so forci*$", as cuso'. On$# su+"rsiion is no1 so
1"$$ ad&anc"d, !a '"n of !" firs *$ood, ar" as
fir' as *uc!"rs *# occu+aion6 and &oar# r"so2
$uion, is 'ad" "0ui+o$$"n o cuso', "&"n in 'a2
"r of *$ood. In o!"r !in%s, !" +r"do'inanc# of
cuso' is "&"r#1!"r" &isi*$"6 inso'uc! as a 'an
1ou$d 1ond"r, o !"ar '"n +rof"ss, +ro"s, "n2
%a%", %i&" %r"a 1ords, and !"n do, ;us as !"#
!a&" don" *"for"6 as if !"# 1"r" d"ad i'a%"s,and "n%in"s 'o&"d on$# *# !" 1!""$s of cuso'.
" s"" a$so !" r"i%n or #rann# of cuso', 1!a
i is. T!" Indians 8I '"an !" s"c of !"ir 1is" '"n9
$a# !"'s"$&"s 0ui"$# u+on a soc7 of 1ood, and
so sacrific" !"'s"$&"s *# fir". Na#, !" 1i&"s
sri&" o *" *urn"d, 1i! !" cor+s"s of !"ir !us2
*ands. T!" $ads of S+ara, of anci"n i'", 1"r"
1on o *" scour%"d u+on !" a$ar of Diana, 1i!2
ou so 'uc! as 0u"c!in%. I r"'"'*"r, in !" *"2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 84/124
%innin% of >u""n E$i<a*"!-s i'" of En%$and, an
Iris! r"*"$ cond"'n"d, +u u+ a +"iion o !"
d"+u#, !a !" 'i%! *" !an%"d in a 1i!", and
no in an !a$"r6 *"caus" i !ad *""n so us"d, 1i!
for'"r r"*"$s. T!"r" *" 'on7s in Russia, for +"n2
anc", !a 1i$$ si a 1!o$" ni%! in a &"ss"$ of 1a"r,
i$$ !"# *" "n%a%"d 1i! !ard ic". Man# "a'+$"s
'a# *" +u of !" forc" of cuso', *o! u+on 'ind
and *od#. T!"r"for", sinc" cuso' is !" +rinci+a$
'a%isra" of 'an-s $if", $" '"n *# a$$ '"ans "n2
d"a&or, o o*ain %ood cuso's. C"rain$# cuso'
is 'os +"rf"c, 1!"n i *"%inn"! in #oun% #"ars5
!is 1" ca$$ "ducaion6 1!ic! is, in "ff"c, *u an
"ar$# cuso'. So 1" s"", in $an%ua%"s, !" on%u"
is 'or" +$ian o a$$ "+r"ssions and sounds, !"
;oins ar" 'or" su++$", o a$$ f"as of aci&i# and
'oions, in #ou! !an af"r1ards. For i is ru",
!a $a" $"arn"rs canno so 1"$$ a7" !" +$#6 "2
c"+ i *" in so'" 'inds, !a !a&" no suff"r"d
!"'s"$&"s o fi, *u !a&" 7"+ !"'s"$&"s o+"n,
and +r"+ar"d o r"c"i&" coninua$ a'"nd'"n,1!ic! is "c""din% rar". Bu if !" forc" of cus2
o' si'+$" and s"+ara", *" %r"a, !" forc" of
cuso' co+u$a" and con;oin"d and co$$"%ia", is
far %r"a"r. For !"r" "a'+$" "ac!"!, co'+an#
co'for"!, "'u$aion 0uic7"n"!, %$or# rais"!5
so as in suc! +$ac"s !" forc" of cuso' is in !is
"a$aion. C"rain$# !" %r"a 'u$i+$icaion of
&iru"s u+on !u'an naur", r"s"! u+on soci"2
i"s 1"$$ ordain"d and disci+$in"d. For co''on2
1"a$!s, and %ood %o&"rn'"ns, do nouris! &iru"
%ro1n *u do no 'uc! '"nd !" d""ds. Bu !"
'is"r# is, !a !" 'os "ff"cua$ '"ans, ar" no1
a++$i"d o !" "nds, $"as o *" d"sir"d.
Of Forun"
IT CANNOT *" d"ni"d, *u ou1ard accid"ns
conduc" 'uc! o forun"6 fa&or, o++oruni#,
d"a! of o!"rs, occasion fiin% &iru". Bu c!i"f$#,
!" 'ou$d of a 'an-s forun" is in !is o1n !ands.
Fa*"r 0uis0u" foruna" sua", sai! !" +o". And
!" 'os fr"0u"n of ""rna$ caus"s is, !a !"
fo$$# of on" 'an, is !" forun" of ano!"r. For no
'an +ros+"rs so sudd"n$#, as *# o!"rs- "rrors.
S"r+"ns nisi s"r+"n"' co'"d"ri non fi draco.O&"r and a++ar"n &iru"s, *rin% for! +rais"6 *u
!"r" *" s"cr" and !idd"n &iru"s, !a *rin% for!
forun"6 c"rain d"$i&"ri"s of a 'an-s s"$f, 1!ic!
!a&" no na'". T!" S+anis! na'", d"s"'*o$ura,
+ar$# "+r"ss"! !"'6 1!"n !"r" *" no sonds
nor r"si&"n"ss in a 'an-s naur"6 *u !a !"
1!""$s of !is 'ind, 7""+ 1a# 1i! !" 1!""$s of
!is forun". For so Li&# 8af"r !" !ad d"scri*"d
Cao Ma;or in !"s" 1ords, In i$$o &iro anu' ro2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 85/124
*ur cor+oris " ani'i fui, u 0uocun0u" $oco naus
"ss", foruna' si*i facurus &id"r"ur9 fa$$"!
u+on !a, !a !" !ad &"rsai$" in%"niu'. T!"r"2
for" if a 'an $oo7 s!ar+$# and a"ni&"$#, !" s!a$$
s"" Forun"5 for !ou%! s!" *" *$ind, #" s!" is no
in&isi*$". T!" 1a# of forun", is $i7" !" Mi$7"n
a# in !" s7#6 1!ic! is a '""in% or 7no of a
nu'*"r of s'a$$ sars6 no s""n asund"r, *u %i&2
in% $i%! o%"!"r. So ar" !"r" a nu'*"r of
$i$", and scarc" disc"rn"d &iru"s, or ra!"r facu$2
i"s and cuso's, !a 'a7" '"n foruna". T!"
Ia$ians no" so'" of !"', suc! as a 'an 1ou$d
$i$" !in7. !"n !"# s+"a7 of on" !a canno do
a'iss, !"# 1i$$ !ro1 in, ino !is o!"r condiions,
!a !" !a! (oco di 'ao. And c"rain$# !"r" *"
no 1o 'or" foruna" +ro+"ri"s, !an o !a&" a
$i$" of !" foo$, and no oo 'uc! of !" !on"s.
T!"r"for" "r"'" $o&"rs of !"ir counr# or
'as"rs, 1"r" n"&"r foruna", n"i!"r can !"#
*". For 1!"n a 'an +$ac"! !is !ou%!s 1i!ou
!i's"$f, !" %o"! no !is o1n 1a#. An !as# for2un" 'a7"! an "n"r+ris"r and r"'o&"r 8!"
Fr"nc! !a! i *""r, "nr"+r"nan, or r"'uan96
*u !" ""rcis"d forun" 'a7"! !" a*$" 'an.
Forun" is o *" !onor"d and r"s+"c"d, and i *"
*u for !"r dau%!"rs, Confid"nc" and R"+uaion.
For !os" 1o, F"$ici# *r""d"!6 !" firs 1i!in
a 'an-s s"$f, !" $a"r in o!"rs o1ards !i'. A$$
1is" '"n, o d"c$in" !" "n&# of !"ir o1n &iru"s,
us" o ascri*" !"' o (ro&id"nc" and Forun"6 for
so !"# 'a# !" *""r assu'" !"'5 and, *"sid"s,
i is %r"an"ss in a 'an, o *" !" car" of !" !i%!"r
+o1"rs. So Ca"sar said o !" +i$o in !" "'+"s,
Ca"sar"' +oras, " foruna' ";us. So S#$$a c!os"
!" na'" of F"$i, and no of Ma%nus. And i !a!
*""n no"d, !a !os" 1!o ascri*" o+"n$# oo
'uc! o !"ir o1n 1isdo' and +o$ic#, "nd infor2
una". I is 1ri"n !a Ti'o!"us !" A!"nian,
af"r !" !ad, in !" accoun !" %a&" o !" sa" of
!is %o&"rn'"n, of"n in"r$ac"d !is s+""c!, and
in !is, Forun" !ad no +ar, n"&"r +ros+"r"d in
an#!in%, !" und"roo7 af"r1ards. C"rain$#
!"r" *", 1!os" forun"s ar" $i7" Ho'"r-s &"rs"s,
!a !a&" a s$id" and "asin"ss 'or" !an !" &"rs"s
of o!"r +o"s6 as ($uarc! sai! of Ti'o$"on-s for2
un", in r"s+"c of !a of A%"si$aus or E+a'inon2
das. And !a !is s!ou$$d *", no dou* i is 'uc!,
in a 'an-s s"$f.
Of Usur#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 86/124
MANY !a&" 'ad" 1i# in&"ci&"s a%ains
usur#. T!"# sa# !a i is a +i#, !" d"&i$
s!ou$d !a&" )od-s +ar, 1!ic! is !" i!". T!a !"
usur"r is !" %r"a"s Sa**a!2*r"a7"r, *"caus" !is
+$ou%! %o"! "&"r# Sunda#. T!a !" usur"r is !"
dron", !a Vir%i$ s+"a7"! of6
I%na&u' fucos +"cus a +ra"s"+i*us arc"n.
T!a !" usur"r *r"a7"! !" firs $a1, !a 1as
'ad" for 'an7ind af"r !" fa$$, 1!ic! 1as, in
sudor" &u$us ui co'"d"s +an"' uu'6 no, in
sudor" &u$us a$i"ni. T!a usur"rs s!ou$d !a&"
oran%"2a1n# *onn"s, *"caus" !"# do ;udai<".
T!a i is a%ains naur" for 'on"# o *"%" 'on"#6
and !" $i7". I sa# !is on$#, !a usur# is a conc"s2
su' +ro+"r durii"' cordis6 for sinc" !"r" 'us
*" *orro1in% and $"ndin%, and '"n ar" so !ard
of !"ar, as !"# 1i$$ no $"nd fr""$#, usur# 'us
*" +"r'i"d. So'" o!"rs, !a&" 'ad" sus+iciousand cunnin% +ro+osiions of *an7s, disco&"r# of
'"n-s "sa"s, and o!"r in&"nions. Bu f"1 !a&"
s+o7"n of usur# us"fu$$#. I is %ood o s" *"for" us,
!" inco''odii"s and co''odii"s of usur#, !a
!" %ood, 'a# *" "i!"r 1"i%!"d ou or cu$$"d ou6
and 1ari$# o +ro&id", !a 1!i$" 1" 'a7" for!
o !a 1!ic! is *""r, 1" '"" no 1i! !a
1!ic! is 1ors".
T!" disco''odii"s of usur# ar", Firs, !a i
'a7"s f"1"r '"rc!ans. For 1"r" i no for !is
$a<# rad" of usur#, 'on"# 1ou$d no !" si$$, *u
1ou$d in %r"a +ar *" "'+$o#"d u+on '"rc!an2
di<in%6 1!ic! is !" &"na +ora of 1"a$! in a sa".
T!" s"cond, !a i 'a7"s +oor '"rc!ans. For, as
a far'"r canno !us*and !is %round so 1"$$, if !"
si a a %r"a r"n6 so !" '"rc!an canno dri&"
!is rad" so 1"$$, if !" si a %r"a usur#. T!" !ird
is incid"n o !" o!"r 1o6 and !a is !" d"ca# of
cuso's of 7in%s or sa"s, 1!ic! "** or f$o1, 1i!
'"rc!andi<in%. T!" four!, !a i *rin%"! !"
r"asur" of a r"a$', or sa", ino a f"1 !ands. For
!" usur"r *"in% a c"raini"s, and o!"rs a unc"r2
aini"s, a !" "nd of !" %a'", 'os of !" 'on"#
1i$$ *" in !" *o6 and "&"r a sa" f$ouris!"!,
1!"n 1"a$! is 'or" "0ua$$# s+r"ad. T!" fif!,
!a i *"as do1n !" +ric" of $and6 for !" "'2+$o#'"n of 'on"#, is c!i"f$# "i!"r '"rc!andi<2
in% or +urc!asin%6 and usur# 1a#$a#s *o!. T!"
si!, !a i do! du$$ and da'+ a$$ indusri"s, i'2
+ro&"'"ns, and n"1 in&"nions, 1!"r"in 'on"#
1ou$d *" sirrin%, if i 1"r" no for !is s$u%. T!"
$as, !a i is !" can7"r and ruin of 'an# '"n-s
"sa"s6 1!ic!, in +roc"ss of i'", *r""ds a +u*$ic
+o&"r#.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 87/124
On !" o!"r sid", !" co''odii"s of usur# ar",
firs, !a !o1so"&"r usur# in so'" r"s+"c !ind"r2
"! '"rc!andi<in%, #" in so'" o!"r i ad&anc"!
i6 for i is c"rain !a !" %r"a"s +ar of rad" is
dri&"n *# #oun% '"rc!ans, u+on *orro1in% a
in"r"s6 so as if !" usur"r "i!"r ca$$ in, or 7""+
*ac7, !is 'on"#, !"r" 1i$$ "nsu", +r"s"n$#, a
%r"a sand of rad". T!" s"cond is, !a 1"r" i no
for !is "as# *orro1in% u+on in"r"s, '"n-s n"c"s2
sii"s 1ou$d dra1 u+on !"' a 'os sudd"n un2
doin%6 in !a !"# 1ou$d *" forc"d o s"$$ !"ir
'"ans 8*" i $ands or %oods9 far und"r foo6 and so,
1!"r"as usur# do! *u %na1 u+on !"', *ad
'ar7"s 1ou$d s1a$$o1 !"' 0ui" u+. As for
'or%a%in% or +a1nin%, i 1i$$ $i$" '"nd !"
'a"r5 for "i!"r '"n 1i$$ no a7" +a1ns 1i!2
ou us"6 or if !"# do, !"# 1i$$ $oo7 +r"cis"$# for
!" forf"iur". I r"'"'*"r a cru"$ 'on"#"d 'an
in !" counr#, !a 1ou$d sa#, T!" d"&i$ a7" !is
usur#, i 7""+s us fro' forf"iur"s, of 'or%a%"s
and *onds. T!" !ird and $as is, !a i is a &ani#o conc"i&", !a !"r" 1ou$d *" ordinar# *orro12
in% 1i!ou +rofi6 and i is i'+ossi*$" o conc"i&",
!" nu'*"r of incon&"ni"nc"s !a 1i$$ "nsu", if
*orro1in% *" cra'+"d. T!"r"for" o s+"a7 of !"
a*o$is!in% of usur# is id$". A$$ sa"s !a&" "&"r !ad
i, in on" 7ind or ra", or o!"r. So as !a o+inion
'us *" s"n o Uo+ia.
To s+"a7 no1 of !" r"for'aion, and r"i%$"2
'"n, of usur#6 !o1 !" disco''odii"s of i 'a#
*" *"s a&oid"d, and !" co''odii"s r"ain"d. I
a++"ars, *# !" *a$anc" of co''odii"s and dis2
co''odii"s of usur#, 1o !in%s ar" o *" r"con2
ci$"d. T!" on", !a !" oo! of usur# *" %rind"d,
!a i *i" no oo 'uc!6 !" o!"r, !a !"r" *"
$"f o+"n a '"ans, o in&i" 'on"#"d '"n o $"nd
o !" '"rc!ans, for !" coninuin% and 0uic7"n2
in% of rad". T!is canno *" don", "c"+ #ou inro2
duc" 1o s"&"ra$ sors of usur#, a $"ss and a %r"a"r.
For if #ou r"duc" usur# o on" $o1 ra", i 1i$$ "as"
!" co''on *orro1"r, *u !" '"rc!an 1i$$ *"
o s""7 for 'on"#. And i is o *" no"d, !a !"
rad" of '"rc!andi<", *"in% !" 'os $ucrai&",
'a# *"ar usur# a a %ood ra"6 o!"r conracs
no so.
To s"r&" *o! in"nions, !" 1a# 1ou$d *"*ri"f$# !us. T!a !"r" *" 1o ra"s of usur#5
!" on" fr"", and %"n"ra$ for a$$6 !" o!"r und"r
$ic"ns" on$#, o c"rain +"rsons, and in c"rain
+$ac"s of '"rc!andi<in%. Firs, !"r"for", $" usur#
in %"n"ra$, *" r"duc"d o fi&" in !" !undr"d6 and
$" !a ra" *" +roc$ai'"d, o *" fr"" and curr"n6
and $" !" sa" s!u is"$f ou, o a7" an# +"na$#
for !" sa'". T!is 1i$$ +r"s"r&" *orro1in%, fro'
an# %"n"ra$ so+ or dr#n"ss. T!is 1i$$ "as" infini"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 88/124
*orro1"rs in !" counr#. T!is 1i$$, in %ood +ar,
rais" !" +ric" of $and, *"caus" $and +urc!as"d
a si""n #"ars- +urc!as" 1i$$ #i"$d si in !"
!undr"d, and so'"1!a 'or"6 1!"r"as !is ra"
of in"r"s, #i"$ds *u fi&". T!is *# $i7" r"ason
1i$$ "ncoura%", and "d%", indusrious and +rofi2
a*$" i'+ro&"'"ns6 *"caus" 'an# 1i$$ ra!"r
&"nur" in !a 7ind, !an a7" fi&" in !" !un2
dr"d, "s+"cia$$# !a&in% *""n us"d o %r"a"r +rofi.
S"cond$#, $" !"r" *" c"rain +"rsons $ic"ns"d,
o $"nd o 7no1n '"rc!ans, u+on usur# a a
!i%!"r ra"6 and $" i *" 1i! !" cauions fo$2
$o1in%. L" !" ra" *", "&"n 1i! !" '"rc!an
!i's"$f, so'"1!a 'or" "as# !an !a !" us"d
for'"r$# o +a#6 for *# !a '"ans, a$$ *or2
ro1"rs, s!a$$ !a&" so'" "as" *# !is r"for'aion,
*" !" '"rc!an, or 1!oso"&"r. L" i *" no
*an7 or co''on soc7, *u "&"r# 'an *" 'as"r
of !is o1n 'on"#. No !a I a$o%"!"r 'is2
$i7" *an7s, *u !"# 1i$$ !ard$# *" *roo7"d, in
r"%ard of c"rain sus+icions. L" !" sa" *"ans1"r"d so'" s'a$$ 'a"r for !" $ic"ns", and
!" r"s $"f o !" $"nd"r6 for if !" a*a"'"n *"
*u s'a$$, i 1i$$ no 1!i discoura%" !" $"nd"r.
For !", for "a'+$", !a oo7 *"for" "n or nin" in
!" !undr"d, 1i$$ soon"r d"sc"nd o "i%! in !"
!undr"d !an %i&" o&"r !is rad" of usur#, and %o
fro' c"rain %ains, o %ains of !a<ard. L" !"s"
$ic"ns"d $"nd"rs *" in nu'*"r ind"fini", *u r"2
srain"d o c"rain +rinci+a$ cii"s and o1ns of
'"rc!andi<in%6 for !"n !"# 1i$$ *" !ard$# a*$"
o co$or o!"r '"n-s 'on"#s in !" counr#5 so as
!" $ic"ns" of nin" 1i$$ no suc7 a1a# !" curr"n
ra" of fi&"6 for no 'an 1i$$ s"nd !is 'on"#s far
off, nor +u !"' ino un7no1n !ands.
If i *" o*;"c"d !a !is do! in a sor au!ori<"
usur#, 1!ic! *"for", 1as in so'" +$ac"s *u +"r2
'issi&"6 !" ans1"r is, !a i is *""r o 'ii%a"
usur#, *# d"c$araion, !an o suff"r i o ra%", *#
conni&anc".
Of You!
AND A)E
A MAN !a is #oun% in #"ars, 'a# *" o$d in
!ours, if !" !a&" $os no i'". Bu !a !a+2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 89/124
+"n"! rar"$#. )"n"ra$$#, #ou! is $i7" !" firs
co%iaions, no so 1is" as !" s"cond. For !"r" is
a #ou! in !ou%!s, as 1"$$ as in a%"s. And #" !"
in&"nion of #oun% '"n, is 'or" $i&"$# !an !a
of o$d6 and i'a%inaions sr"a' ino !"ir 'inds
*""r, and, as i 1"r", 'or" di&in"$#. Naur"s !a
!a&" 'uc! !"a, and %r"a and &io$"n d"sir"s and
+"rur*aions, ar" no ri+" for acion, i$$ !"# !a&"
+ass"d !" '"ridian of !"ir #"ars6 as i 1as 1i!
3u$ius Ca"sar and S"+i'ius S"&"rus. Of !" $a"r,
of 1!o' i is said, 3u&"nu"' "%i "rrori*us, i'o
furori*us, +$"na'. And #" !" 1as !" a*$"s "'2
+"ror, a$'os, of a$$ !" $is. Bu r"+os"d naur"s
'a# do 1"$$ in #ou!. As i is s""n in Au%usus
Ca"sar, Cos'us Du7" of F$or"nc", )ason d" Foi,
and o!"rs. On !" o!"r sid", !"a and &i&aci# in
a%", is an "c"$$"n co'+osiion for *usin"ss.
Youn% '"n ar" fi"r o in&"n, !an o ;ud%"6 fi"r
for ""cuion, !an for couns"$6 and fi"r for n"1
+ro;"cs, !an for s"$"d *usin"ss. For !" "+"ri2
"nc" of a%", in !in%s !a fa$$ 1i!in !" co'+assof i, dir"c"! !"'6 *u in n"1 !in%s, a*us"!
!"'.
T!" "rrors of #oun% '"n, ar" !" ruin of *usi2
n"ss6 *u !" "rrors of a%"d '"n, a'oun *u o
!is, !a 'or" 'i%! !a&" *""n don", or soon"r.
Youn% '"n, in !" conduc and 'ana%" of acions,
"'*rac" 'or" !an !"# can !o$d6 sir 'or" !an
!"# can 0ui"6 f$# o !" "nd, 1i!ou consid"ra2
ion of !" '"ans and d"%r""s6 +ursu" so'"
f"1 +rinci+$"s, 1!ic! !"# !a&" c!anc"d u+on
a*surd$#6 car" no o inno&a", 1!ic! dra1s un2
7no1n incon&"ni"nc"s6 us" "r"'" r"'"di"s a
firs6 and, !a 1!ic! dou*$"! a$$ "rrors, 1i$$ no
ac7no1$"d%" or r"rac !"'6 $i7" an unr"ad#
!ors", !a 1i$$ n"i!"r so+ nor urn. M"n of a%"
o*;"c oo 'uc!, consu$ oo $on%, ad&"nur" oo
$i$", r"+"n oo soon, and s"$do' dri&" *usin"ss
!o'" o !" fu$$ +"riod, *u con"n !"'s"$&"s
1i! a '"diocri# of succ"ss. C"rain$# i is %ood o
co'+ound "'+$o#'"ns of *o!6 for !a 1i$$ *"
%ood for !" +r"s"n, *"caus" !" &iru"s of "i!"r
a%", 'a# corr"c !" d"f"cs of *o!6 and %ood for
succ"ssion, !a #oun% '"n 'a# *" $"arn"rs, 1!i$"
'"n in a%" ar" acors6 and, $as$#, %ood for ""rn
accid"ns, *"caus" au!ori# fo$$o1"! o$d '"n,and fa&or and +o+u$ari#, #ou!. Bu for !" 'ora$
+ar, +"r!a+s #ou! 1i$$ !a&" !" +r"2"'in"nc", as
a%" !a! for !" +o$iic. A c"rain ra**in, u+on !"
", Your #oun% '"n s!a$$ s"" &isions, and #our
o$d '"n s!a$$ dr"a' dr"a's, inf"rr"! !a #oun%
'"n, ar" ad'i"d n"ar"r o )od !an o$d, *"caus"
&ision, is a c$"ar"r r"&"$aion, !an a dr"a'. And
c"rain$#, !" 'or" a 'an drin7"! of !" 1or$d,
!" 'or" i inoica"!6 and a%" do! +rofi ra!"r
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 90/124
in !" +o1"rs of und"rsandin%, !an in !" &iru"s
of !" 1i$$ and aff"cions. T!"r" *" so'", !a&" an
o&"r2"ar$# ri+"n"ss in !"ir #"ars, 1!ic! fad"!
*"i'"s. T!"s" ar", firs, suc! as !a&" *ri$" 1is,
!" "d%" 1!"r"of is soon urn"d6 suc! as 1as H"r2
'o%"n"s !" r!"orician, 1!os" *oo7s ar" "c""d2
in% su*$"6 1!o af"r1ards 1a"d su+id. A s"cond
sor, is of !os" !a !a&" so'" naura$ dis+osiions
1!ic! !a&" *""r %rac" in #ou!, !an in a%"6
suc! as is a f$u"n and $uurian s+""c!6 1!ic!
*"co'"s #ou! 1"$$, *u no a%"5 so Tu$$# sai! of
Hor"nsius, Id"' 'an"*a, n"0u" id"' d"c"*a.
T!" !ird is of suc!, as a7" oo !i%! a srain a !"
firs, and ar" 'a%nani'ous, 'or" !an rac of
#"ars can u+!o$d. As 1as Sci+io Africanus, of
1!o' Li&# sai! in "ff"c, U$i'a +ri'is c"d"*an.
Of B"au#
VIRTUE is $i7" a ric! son", *"s +$ain s"6 and
sur"$# &iru" is *"s, in a *od# !a is co'"$#,
!ou%! no of d"$ica" f"aur"s6 and !a !a!
ra!"r di%ni# of +r"s"nc", !an *"au# of as+"c.
N"i!"r is i a$'os s""n, !a &"r# *"auifu$ +"r2
sons ar" o!"r1is" of %r"a &iru"6 as if naur" 1"r"
ra!"r *us#, no o "rr, !an in $a*or o +roduc"
"c"$$"nc#. And !"r"for" !"# +ro&" acco'2
+$is!"d, *u no of %r"a s+iri6 and sud# ra!"r
*"!a&ior, !an &iru". Bu !is !o$ds no a$1a#s5
for Au%usus Ca"sar, Tius V"s+asianus, (!i$i+ $"
B"$$" of Franc", Ed1ard !" Four! of En%$and,
A$ci*iad"s of A!"ns, Is'a"$ !" So+!# of ("rsia,
1"r" a$$ !i%! and %r"a s+iris6 and #" !" 'os
*"auifu$ '"n of !"ir i'"s. In *"au#, !a of
fa&or, is 'or" !an !a of co$or6 and !a of d"c"n
and %racious 'oion, 'or" !an !a of fa&or. T!a
is !" *"s +ar of *"au#, 1!ic! a +icur" canno
"+r"ss6 no, nor !" firs si%! of !" $if". T!"r" is no
"c"$$"n *"au#, !a !a! no so'" sran%"n"ss
in !" +ro+orion. A 'an canno "$$ 1!"!"r
A+"$$"s, or A$*"r Dur"r, 1"r" !" 'or" rif$"r61!"r"of !" on", 1ou$d 'a7" a +"rsona%" *# %"o2
'"rica$ +ro+orions6 !" o!"r, *# a7in% !" *"s
+ars ou of di&"rs fac"s, o 'a7" on" "c"$$"n.
Suc! +"rsona%"s, I !in7, 1ou$d +$"as" no*od#,
*u !" +ain"r !a 'ad" !"'. No *u I !in7 a
+ain"r 'a# 'a7" a *""r fac" !an "&"r 1as6 *u
!" 'us do i *# a 7ind of f"$ici# 8as a 'usician
!a 'a7"! an "c"$$"n air in 'usic9, and no *#
ru$". A 'an s!a$$ s"" fac"s, !a if #ou "a'in"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 91/124
!"' +ar *# +ar, #ou s!a$$ find n"&"r a %ood6
and #" a$o%"!"r do 1"$$. If i *" ru" !a !"
+rinci+a$ +ar of *"au# is in d"c"n 'oion, c"r2
ain$# i is no 'ar&"$, !ou%! +"rsons in #"ars
s""' 'an# i'"s 'or" a'ia*$"6 +u$c!roru'
auu'nus +u$c!"r6 for no #ou! can *" co'"$#
*u *# +ardon, and consid"rin% !" #ou!, as o
'a7" u+ !" co'"$in"ss. B"au# is as su''"r
fruis,9 1!ic! ar" "as# o corru+, and canno $as6
and for !" 'os +ar i 'a7"s a disso$u" #ou!,
and an a%" a $i$" ou of coun"nanc"6 *u #" c"r2
ain$# a%ain, if i $i%! 1"$$, i 'a7"! &iru" s!in",
and &ic"s *$us!.
Of D"for'i#
DEFORMED +"rsons ar" co''on$# "&"n 1i!naur"6 for as naur" !a! don" i$$ *# !"',
so do !"# *# naur"6 *"in% for !" 'os +ar 8as
!" Scri+ur" sai!9 &oid of naura$ aff"cion6 and
so !"# !a&" !"ir r"&"n%" of naur". C"rain$#
!"r" is a cons"n, *"1""n !" *od# and !" 'ind6
and 1!"r" naur" "rr"! in !" on", s!" &"nur"!
in !" o!"r. U*i +"cca in uno, +"ric$iaur in a$2
"ro. Bu *"caus" !"r" is, in 'an, an "$"cion
ouc!in% !" fra'" of !is 'ind, and a n"c"ssi# in
!" fra'" of !is *od#, !" sars of naura$ inc$ina2
ion ar" so'"i'"s o*scur"d, *# !" sun of disci2
+$in" and &iru". T!"r"for" i is %ood o consid"r of
d"for'i#, no as a si%n, 1!ic! is 'or" d"c"i&a*$"6
*u as a caus", 1!ic! s"$do' fai$"! of !" "ff"c.
!oso"&"r !a! an#!in% fi"d in !is +"rson, !a
do! induc" con"'+, !a! a$so a +"r+"ua$ s+ur
in !i's"$f, o r"scu" and d"$i&"r !i's"$f fro'
scorn. T!"r"for" a$$ d"for'"d +"rsons, ar" "r"'"
*o$d. Firs, as in !"ir o1n d"f"nc", as *"in% "2
+os"d o scorn6 *u in +roc"ss of i'", *# a %"n"ra$
!a*i. A$so i sirr"! in !"' indusr#, and "s+"2
cia$$# of !is 7ind, o 1ac! and o*s"r&" !" 1"a72
n"ss of o!"rs, !a !"# 'a# !a&" so'"1!a o
r"+a#. A%ain, in !"ir su+"riors, i 0u"nc!"!
;"a$ous# o1ards !"', as +"rsons !a !"# !in7
!"# 'a#, a +$"asur", d"s+is"5 and i $a#"! !"ir
co'+"iors and "'u$aors as$""+6 as n"&"r *"$i"&2
in% !"# s!ou$d *" in +ossi*i$i# of ad&anc"'"n,
i$$ !"# s"" !"' in +oss"ssion. So !a u+on !"
'a"r, in a %r"a 1i, d"for'i# is an ad&ana%"
o risin%. /in%s in anci"n i'"s 8and a !is +r"s2
"n in so'" counri"s9 1"r" 1on o +u %r"a rus
in "unuc!s6 *"caus" !"# !a ar" "n&ious o1ards
a$$ ar" 'or" o*noious and officious, o1ards on".
Bu #" !"ir rus o1ards !"', !a! ra!"r
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 92/124
*""n as o %ood s+ia$s, and %ood 1*is+"r"rs, !an
%ood 'a%isra"s and offic"rs. And 'uc! $i7" is
!" r"ason of d"for'"d +"rsons. Si$$ !" %round
is, !"# 1i$$, if !"# *" of s+iri, s""7 o fr"" !"'2
s"$&"s fro' scorn6 1!ic! 'us *" "i!"r *# &iru"
or 'a$ic"6 and !"r"for" $" i no *" 'ar&"$$"d, if
so'"i'"s !"# +ro&" "c"$$"n +"rsons6 as 1as
A%"si$aus, an%"r !" son of So$#'an, AEso+,
)asca, (r"sid"n of ("ru6 and Socra"s 'a# %o
$i7"1is" a'on%s !"'6 1i! o!"rs.
Of Bui$din%
HOUSES ar" *ui$ o $i&" in, and no o $oo7 on6
!"r"for" $" us" *" +r"f"rr"d *"for" uni2
for'i#, "c"+ 1!"r" *o! 'a# *" !ad. L"a&"
!" %ood$# fa*rics of !ous"s, for *"au# on$#, o
!" "nc!an"d +a$ac"s of !" +o"s6 1!o *ui$d !"'1i! s'a$$ cos. H" !a *ui$ds a fair !ous", u+on
an i$$ s"a, co''i"! !i's"$f o +rison. N"i!"r
do I r"c7on i an i$$ s"a, on$# 1!"r" !" air is un2
1!o$"so'"6 *u $i7"1is" 1!"r" !" air is un"0ua$6
as #ou s!a$$ s"" 'an# fin" s"as s" u+on a 7na+ of
%round, "n&iron"d 1i! !i%!"r !i$$s round a*ou
i6 1!"r"*# !" !"a of !" sun is +"n in, and !"
1ind %a!"r"! as in rou%!s6 so as #ou s!a$$ !a&",
and !a sudd"n$#, as %r"a di&"rsi# of !"a and
co$d as if #ou d1"$ in s"&"ra$ +$ac"s. N"i!"r is i
i$$ air on$# !a 'a7"! an i$$ s"a, *u i$$ 1a#s, i$$
'ar7"s6 and, if #ou 1i$$ consu$ 1i! Mo'us, i$$
n"i%!*ors. I s+"a7 no of 'an# 'or"6 1an of
1a"r6 1an of 1ood, s!ad", and s!"$"r6 1an of
fruifu$n"ss, and 'iur" of %rounds of s"&"ra$
naur"s6 1an of +ros+"c6 1an of $"&"$ %rounds6
1an of +$ac"s a so'" n"ar disanc" for s+ors of
!unin%, !a17in%, and rac"s6 oo n"ar !" s"a, oo
r"'o"6 !a&in% !" co''odi# of na&i%a*$" ri&"rs,
or !" disco''odi# of !"ir o&"rf$o1in%6 oo far
off fro' %r"a cii"s, 1!ic! 'a# !ind"r *usin"ss,
or oo n"ar !"', 1!ic! $urc!"! a$$ +ro&isions,
and 'a7"! "&"r#!in% d"ar6 1!"r" a 'an !a!
a %r"a $i&in% $aid o%"!"r, and 1!"r" !" is
scan"d5 a$$ 1!ic!, as i is i'+ossi*$" +"r!a+s o
find o%"!"r, so i is %ood o 7no1 !"', and !in7
of !"', !a a 'an 'a# a7" as 'an# as !" can6and if !" !a&" s"&"ra$ d1"$$in%s, !a !" sor !"'
so !a 1!a !" 1an"! in !" on", !" 'a# find in
!" o!"r. Lucu$$us ans1"r"d (o'+"# 1"$$6 1!o,
1!"n !" sa1 !is sa"$# %a$$"ri"s, and roo's so
$ar%" and $i%!so'", in on" of !is !ous"s, said,
Sur"$# an "c"$$"n +$ac" for su''"r, *u !o1 do
#ou in 1in"r: Lucu$$us ans1"r"d, !#, do #ou
no !in7 '" as 1is" as so'" fo1$ ar", !a "&"r
c!an%" !"ir a*od" o1ards !" 1in"r:
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 93/124
To +ass fro' !" s"a, o !" !ous" is"$f6 1" 1i$$
do as Cic"ro do! in !" oraor-s ar6 1!o 1ri"s
*oo7s D" Oraor", and a *oo7 !" "ni$"s Oraor6
1!"r"of !" for'"r, d"$i&"rs !" +r"c"+s of !"
ar, and !" $a"r, !" +"rf"cion. " 1i$$ !"r"2
for" d"scri*" a +rinc"$# +a$ac", 'a7in% a *ri"f
'od"$ !"r"of. For i is sran%" o s"", no1 in
Euro+", suc! !u%" *ui$din%s as !" Vaican and
Escuria$ and so'" o!"rs *", and #" scarc" a &"r#
fair roo' in !"'.
Firs, !"r"for", I sa# #ou canno !a&" a +"rf"c
+a$ac" "c"+ #ou !a&" 1o s"&"ra$ sid"s6 a sid" for
!" *an0u", as i is s+o7"n of in !" *oo7 of H"s"r,
and a sid" for !" !ous"!o$d6 !" on" for f"ass and
riu'+!s, and !" o!"r for d1"$$in%. I und"rsand
*o! !"s" sid"s o *" no on$# r"urns, *u +ars
of !" fron6 and o *" unifor' 1i!ou, !ou%!
s"&"ra$$# +ariion"d 1i!in6 and o *" on *o!
sid"s of a %r"a and sa"$# o1"r, in !" 'ids of!" fron, !a, as i 1"r", ;oin"! !"' o%"!"r
on "i!"r !and. I 1ou$d !a&" on !" sid" of !" *an2
0u", in fron, on" on$# %ood$# roo' a*o&" sairs,
of so'" for# foo !i%!6 and und"r i a roo' for a
dr"ssin%, or +r"+arin% +$ac", a i'"s of riu'+!s.
On !" o!"r sid", 1!ic! is !" !ous"!o$d sid", I
1is! i di&id"d a !" firs, ino a !a$$ and a c!a+"$
81i! a +ariion *"1""n96 *o! of %ood sa" and
*i%n"ss6 and !os" no o %o a$$ !" $"n%!, *u o
!a&" a !" fur!"r "nd, a 1in"r and a su''"r
+ar$or, *o! fair. And und"r !"s" roo's, a fair
and $ar%" c"$$ar, sun7 und"r %round6 and $i7"1is"
so'" +ri&# 7ic!"ns, 1i! *u"ri"s and +anri"s,
and !" $i7". As for !" o1"r, I 1ou$d !a&" i 1o
sori"s, of "i%!""n foo !i%! a+i"c", a*o&" !" 1o
1in%s6 and a %ood$# $"ads u+on !" o+,rai$"d 1i!
sauas in"r+os"d6 and !" sa'" o1"r o *" di2
&id"d ino roo's, as s!a$$ *" !ou%! fi. T!" sairs
$i7"1is" o !" u++"r roo's, $" !"' *" u+on a
fair o+"n n"1"$, and fin"$# rai$"d in, 1i! i'a%"s
of 1ood, cas ino a *rass co$or6 and a &"r# fair
$andin%2+$ac" a !" o+. Bu !is o *", if #ou do
no +oin an# of !" $o1"r roo's, for a dinin% +$ac"
of s"r&ans. For o!"r1is", #ou s!a$$ !a&" !" s"r2
&ans- dinn"r af"r #our o1n5 for !" s"a' of i,
1i$$ co'" u+ as in a unn"$. And so 'uc! for !"
fron. On$# I und"rsand !" !"i%! of !" firssairs o *" si""n foo, 1!ic! is !" !"i%! of !"
$o1"r roo'.
B"#ond !is fron, is !"r" o *" a fair cour, *u
!r"" sid"s of i, of a far $o1"r *ui$din% !an !"
fron. And in a$$ !" four corn"rs of !a cour, fair
saircas"s, cas ino urr"s, on !" ousid", and no
1i!in !" ro1 of *ui$din%s !"'s"$&"s. Bu !os"
o1"rs, ar" no o *" of !" !"i%! of !" fron, *u
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 94/124
ra!"r +ro+oriona*$" o !" $o1"r *ui$din%. L"
!" cour no *" +a&"d, for !a sri7"! u+ a %r"a
!"a in su''"r, and 'uc! co$d in 1in"r. Bu
on$# so'" sid" a$$"#s, 1i! a cross, and !" 0uar2
"rs o %ra<", *"in% 7"+ s!orn, *u no oo n"ar
s!orn. T!" ro1 of r"urn on !" *an0u" sid", $" i
*" a$$ sa"$# %a$$"ri"s5 in 1!ic! %a$$"ri"s $" !"r"
*" !r"", or fi&", fin" cu+o$as in !" $"n%! of i,
+$ac"d a "0ua$ disanc"6 and fin" co$or"d 1indo1s
of s"&"ra$ 1or7s. On !" !ous"!o$d sid", c!a'*"rs
of +r"s"nc" and ordinar# "n"rain'"ns, 1i!
so'" *"d2c!a'*"rs6 and $" a$$ !r"" sid"s *" a
dou*$" !ous", 1i!ou !orou%! $i%!s on !" sid"s,
!a #ou 'a# !a&" roo's fro' !" sun, *o! for
for"noon and af"rnoon. Cas i a$so, !a #ou 'a#
!a&" roo's, *o! for su''"r and 1in"r6 s!ad#
for su''"r, and 1ar' for 1in"r. You s!a$$ !a&"
so'"i'"s fair !ous"s so fu$$ of %$ass, !a on" can2
no "$$ 1!"r" o *"co'", o *" ou of !" sun or
co$d. For in*o1"d 1indo1s, I !o$d !"' of %ood
us" 8in cii"s, ind""d, u+ri%! do *""r, in r"s+"cof !" unifor'i# o1ards !" sr""96 for !"# *"
+r"# r"irin% +$ac"s for conf"r"nc"6 and *"sid"s,
!"# 7""+ *o! !" 1ind and sun off6 for !a
1!ic! 1ou$d sri7" a$'os !rou%! !" roo', do!
scarc" +ass !" 1indo1. Bu $" !"' *" *u f"1,
four in !" cour, on !" sid"s on$#.
B"#ond !is cour, $" !"r" *" an in1ard cour,
of !" sa'" s0uar" and !"i%!6 1!ic! is o *" "n2
&iron"d 1i! !" %ard"n on a$$ sid"s6 and in !"
insid", c$ois"r"d on a$$ sid"s, u+on d"c"n and
*"auifu$ arc!"s, as !i%! as !" firs sor#. On !"
und"r sor#, o1ards !" %ard"n, $" i *" urn"d
o a %roo, or a +$ac" of s!ad", or "si&aion. And
on$# !a&" o+"nin% and 1indo1s o1ards !" %ar2
d"n6 and *" $"&"$ u+on !" f$oor, no 1!i sun7"n
und"r %round, o a&oid a$$ da'+is!n"ss. And $"
!"r" *" a founain, or so'" fair 1or7 of sauas, in
!" 'ids of !is cour6 and o *" +a&"d as !" o!"r
cour 1as. T!"s" *ui$din%s o *" for +ri&# $od%in%s
on *o! sid"s6 and !" "nd for +ri&# %a$$"ri"s.
!"r"of #ou 'us for"s"" !a on" of !"' *" for
an infir'ar#, if !" +rinc" or an# s+"cia$ +"rson
s!ou$d *" sic7, 1i! c!a'*"rs, *"d2c!a'*"r, an"2
ca'"ra, and r"ca'"ra ;oinin% o i. T!is u+on !"
s"cond sor#. U+on !" %round sor#, a fair %a$$"r#,
o+"n, u+on +i$$ars6 and u+on !" !ird sor# $i7"21is", an o+"n %a$$"r#, u+on +i$$ars, o a7" !"
+ros+"c and fr"s!n"ss of !" %ard"n. A *o! cor2
n"rs of !" fur!"r sid", *# 1a# of r"urn, $" !"r"
*" 1o d"$ica" or ric! ca*in"s, daini$# +a&"d,
ric!$# !an%"d, %$a<"d 1i! cr#sa$$in" %$ass, and
a ric! cu+o$a in !" 'ids6 and a$$ o!"r "$"%anc#
!a 'a# *" !ou%! u+on. In !" u++"r %a$$"r#
oo, I 1is! !a !"r" 'a# *", if !" +$ac" 1i$$ #i"$d
i, so'" founains runnin% in di&"rs +$ac"s fro'
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 95/124
!" 1a$$, 1i! so'" fin" a&oidanc"s. And !us
'uc! for !" 'od"$ of !" +a$ac"6 sa&" !a #ou
'us !a&", *"for" #ou co'" o !" fron, !r""
cours. A %r""n cour +$ain, 1i! a 1a$$ a*ou i6
a s"cond cour of !" sa'", *u 'or" %arnis!"d,
1i! $i$" urr"s, or ra!"r "'*"$$is!'"ns, u+on
!" 1a$$6 and a !ird cour, o 'a7" a s0uar" 1i!
!" fron, *u no o *" *ui$, nor #" "nc$os"d 1i!
a na7"d 1a$$, *u "nc$os"d 1i! "rrac"s, $"ad"d
a$of, and fair$# %arnis!"d, on !" !r"" sid"s6 and
c$ois"r"d on !" insid", 1i! +i$$ars, and no 1i!
arc!"s *"$o1. As for offic"s, $" !"' sand a dis2
anc", 1i! so'" $o1 %a$$"ri"s, o +ass fro' !"'
o !" +a$ac" is"$f.
Of )ard"ns
)D A$'i%!# firs +$an"d a %ard"n. And
ind""d i is !" +ur"s of !u'an +$"asur"s.I is !" %r"a"s r"fr"s!'"n o !" s+iris of 'an6
1i!ou 1!ic!, *ui$din%s and +a$ac"s ar" *u
%ross !andi1or7s6 and a 'an s!a$$ "&"r s"", !a
1!"n a%"s %ro1 o ci&i$i# and "$"%anc#, '"n
co'" o *ui$d sa"$# soon"r !an o %ard"n fin"$#6
as if %ard"nin% 1"r" !" %r"a"r +"rf"cion. I do
!o$d i, in !" ro#a$ ord"rin% of %ard"ns, !"r"
ou%! o *" %ard"ns, for a$$ !" 'on!s in !" #"ar6
in 1!ic! s"&"ra$$# !in%s of *"au# 'a# *" !"n
in s"ason. For D"c"'*"r, and 3anuar#, and !"
$a"r +ar of No&"'*"r, #ou 'us a7" suc! !in%s
as ar" %r""n a$$ 1in"r5 !o$$#6 i *a#s6 ;uni+"r6
c#+r"ss2r""s6 #"16 +in"2a++$"2r""s6 fir2r""s6
ros"'ar#6 $a&"nd"r6 +"ri1in7$", !" 1!i", !"
+ur+$", and !" *$u"6 %"r'and"r6 f$a%s6 oran%"2
r""s6 $"'on2r""s6 and '#r$"s, if !"# *" so&"d6
and s1"" 'ar;ora', 1ar' s". T!"r" fo$$o1"!,
for !" $a"r +ar of 3anuar# and F"*ruar#, !"
'"<"r"on2r"", 1!ic! !"n *$osso's6 crocus &"r2
nus, *o! !" #"$$o1 and !" %r"#6 +ri'ros"s,
an"'on"s6 !" "ar$# u$i++a6 !#acin!us ori"n2
a$is6 c!a'airis6 fri"$$aria. For Marc!, !"r"
co'" &io$"s, s+"cia$$# !" sin%$" *$u", 1!ic! ar"
!" "ar$i"s6 !" #"$$o1 daffodi$6 !" dais#6 !"
a$'ond2r"" in *$osso'6 !" +"ac!2r"" in *$os2
so'6 !" corn"$ian2r"" in *$osso'6 s1""2*riar.
In A+ri$ fo$$o1 !" dou*$" 1!i" &io$"6 !" 1a$$2f$o1"r6 !" soc72%i$$if$o1"r6 !" co1s$i+6 f$o1"r2
d"$ic"s, and $i$i"s of a$$ naur"s6 ros"'ar#2f$o1"rs6
!" u$i++a6 !" dou*$" +"on#6 !" +a$" daffodi$6
!" Fr"nc! !on"#suc7$"6 !" c!"rr#2r"" in *$os2
so'6 !" da'son and +$u'2r""s in *$osso'6 !"
1!i" !orn in $"af6 !" $i$ac2r"". In Ma# and
3un" co'" +in7s of a$$ sors, s+"cia$$# !" *$us!2
+in76 ros"s of a$$ 7inds, "c"+ !" 'us7, 1!ic!
co'"s $a"r6 !on"#suc7$"s6 sra1*"rri"s6 *u%$oss6
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 96/124
co$u'*in"6 !" Fr"nc! 'ari%o$d, f$os Africanus6
c!"rr#2r"" in frui6 ri*"s6 fi%s in frui6 ras+s6 &in"2
f$o1"rs6 $a&"nd"r in f$o1"rs6 !" s1"" sa#rian,
1i! !" 1!i" f$o1"r6 !"r*a 'uscaria6 $i$iu'
con&a$$iu'6 !" a++$"2r"" in *$osso'. In 3u$#
co'" %i$$if$o1"rs of a$$ &ari"i"s6 'us72ros"s6 !"
$i'"2r"" in *$osso'6 "ar$# +"ars and +$u's in
frui6 ;"nn"in%s, cod$ins. In Au%us co'" +$u's
of a$$ sors in frui6 +"ars6 a+ricoc7s6 *"r*"rri"s6
fi$*"rds6 'us72'"$ons6 'on7s2!oods, of a$$ co$ors.
In S"+"'*"r co'" %ra+"s6 a++$"s6 +o++i"s of
a$$ co$ors6 +"ac!"s6 '"$ocoon"s6 n"carin"s6 cor2
n"$ians6 1ard"ns6 0uinc"s. In Oco*"r and !"
*"%innin% of No&"'*"r co'" s"r&ic"s6 '"d$ars6
*u$$ac"s6 ros"s cu or r"'o&"d o co'" $a"6 !o$$#2
!oc7s6 and suc! $i7". T!"s" +aricu$ars ar" for !"
c$i'a" of London6 *u '# '"anin% is +"rc"i&"d,
!a #ou 'a# !a&" &"r +"r+"uu', as !" +$ac"
affords.
And *"caus" !" *r"a! of f$o1"rs is far s1"""rin !" air 81!"r" i co'"s and %o"s $i7" !" 1ar*2
$in% of 'usic9 !an in !" !and, !"r"for" no!in%
is 'or" fi for !a d"$i%!, !an o 7no1 1!a *"
!" f$o1"rs and +$ans !a do *"s +"rfu'" !" air.
Ros"s, da'as7 and r"d, ar" fas f$o1"rs of !"ir
s'"$$s6 so !a #ou 'a# 1a$7 *# a 1!o$" ro1 of
!"', and find no!in% of !"ir s1""n"ss6 #"a
!ou%! i *" in a 'ornin%-s d"1. Ba#s $i7"1is"
#i"$d no s'"$$ as !"# %ro1. Ros"'ar# $i$"6 nor
s1"" 'ar;ora'. T!a 1!ic! a*o&" a$$ o!"rs
#i"$ds !" s1"""s s'"$$ in !" air is !" &io$",
s+"cia$$# !" 1!i" dou*$" &io$", 1!ic! co'"s
1ic" a #"ar6 a*ou !" 'idd$" of A+ri$, and a*ou
Bar!o$o'"12id". N" o !a is !" 'us72ros".
T!"n !" sra1*"rr#2$"a&"s d#in%, 1!ic! #i"$d a
'os "c"$$"n cordia$ s'"$$. T!"n !" f$o1"r of
&in"s6 i is a $i$" dus, $i7" !" dus of a *"n, 1!ic!
%ro1s u+on !" c$us"r in !" firs co'in% for!.
T!"n s1""2*riar. T!"n 1a$$2f$o1"rs, 1!ic! ar"
&"r# d"$i%!fu$ o *" s" und"r a +ar$or or $o1"r
c!a'*"r 1indo1. T!"n +in7s and %i$$if$o1"rs,
"s+"cia$$# !" 'a"d +in7 and c$o&" %i$$if$o1"r.
T!"n !" f$o1"rs of !" $i'"2r"". T!"n !" !on"#2
suc7$"s, so !"# *" so'"1!a afar off. Of *"an2
f$o1"rs I s+"a7 no, *"caus" !"# ar" fi"$d f$o1"rs.
Bu !os" 1!ic! +"rfu'" !" air 'os d"$i%!fu$$#,
no +ass"d *# as !" r"s, *u *"in% rodd"n u+onand crus!"d, ar" !r""6 !a is, *urn", 1i$d2
!#'", and 1a"r'ins. T!"r"for" #ou ar" o s"
1!o$" a$$"#s of !"', o !a&" !" +$"asur" 1!"n
#ou 1a$7 or r"ad.
For %ard"ns 8s+"a7in% of !os" 1!ic! ar" ind""d
+rinc"$i7", as 1" !a&" don" of *ui$din%s9, !" con2
"ns ou%! no 1"$$ o *" und"r !ir# acr"s of
%round6 and o *" di&id"d ino !r"" +ars6 a %r""n
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 97/124
in !" "nranc"6 a !"a! or d"s"r in !" %oin%
for!6 and !" 'ain %ard"n in !" 'ids6 *"sid"s
a$$"#s on *o! sid"s. And I $i7" 1"$$ !a four acr"s
of %round *" assi%n"d o !" %r""n6 si o !"
!"a!6 four and four o "i!"r sid"6 and 1"$&" o
!" 'ain %ard"n. T!" %r""n !a! 1o +$"asur"s5
!" on", *"caus" no!in% is 'or" +$"asan o !"
"#" !an %r""n %rass 7"+ fin"$# s!orn6 !" o!"r,
*"caus" i 1i$$ %i&" #ou a fair a$$"# in !" 'ids, *#
1!ic! #ou 'a# %o in fron u+on a sa"$# !"d%",
1!ic! is o "nc$os" !" %ard"n. Bu *"caus" !"
a$$"# 1i$$ *" $on%, and, in %r"a !"a of !" #"ar or
da#, #ou ou%! no o *u# !" s!ad" in !" %ard"n,
*# %oin% in !" sun !rou%! !" %r""n, !"r"for"
#ou ar", of "i!"r sid" !" %r""n, o +$an a co&"r
a$$"# u+on car+"n"r-s 1or7, a*ou 1"$&" foo in
!"i%!, *# 1!ic! #ou 'a# %o in s!ad" ino !"
%ard"n. As for !" 'a7in% of 7nos or fi%ur"s, 1i!
di&"rs co$or"d "ar!s, !a !"# 'a# $i" und"r !"
1indo1s of !" !ous" on !a sid" 1!ic! !" %ar2
d"n sands, !"# *" *u o#s6 #ou 'a# s"" as %oodsi%!s, 'an# i'"s, in ars. T!" %ard"n is *"s o
*" s0uar", "nco'+ass"d on a$$ !" four sid"s 1i!
a sa"$# arc!"d !"d%". T!" arc!"s o *" u+on +i$2
$ars of car+"n"r-s 1or7, of so'" "n foo !i%!, and
si foo *road6 and !" s+ac"s *"1""n of !" sa'"
di'"nsion 1i! !" *r"ad! of !" arc!. O&"r !"
arc!"s $" !"r" *" an "nir" !"d%" of so'" four
foo !i%!, fra'"d a$so u+on car+"n"r-s 1or76 and
u+on !" u++"r !"d%", o&"r "&"r# arc!, a $i$" ur2
r", 1i! a *"$$#, "nou%! o r"c"i&" a ca%" of *irds5
and o&"r "&"r# s+ac" *"1""n !" arc!"s so'"
o!"r $i$" fi%ur", 1i! *road +$a"s of round co$2
or"d %$ass %i$, for !" sun o +$a# u+on. Bu !is
!"d%" I in"nd o *" rais"d u+on a *an7, no s""+,
*u %"n$# s$o+", of so'" si foo, s" a$$ 1i!
f$o1"rs. A$so I und"rsand, !a !is s0uar" of !"
%ard"n, s!ou$d no *" !" 1!o$" *r"ad! of !"
%round, *u o $"a&" on "i!"r sid", %round "nou%!
for di&"rsi# of sid" a$$"#s6 uno 1!ic! !" 1o
co&"r a$$"#s of !" %r""n, 'a# d"$i&"r #ou. Bu
!"r" 'us *" no a$$"#s 1i! !"d%"s, a "i!"r "nd
of !is %r"a "nc$osur"6 no a !" !i!"r "nd, for
$"in% #our +ros+"c u+on !is fair !"d%" fro'
!" %r""n6 nor a !" fur!"r "nd, for $"in% #our
+ros+"c fro' !" !"d%", !rou%! !" arc!"s u+on
!" !"a!.
For !" ord"rin% of !" %round, 1i!in !" %r"a
!"d%", I $"a&" i o &ari"# of d"&ic"6 ad&isin%
n"&"r!"$"ss, !a 1!aso"&"r for' #ou cas i ino,
firs, i *" no oo *us#, or fu$$ of 1or7. !"r"in I,
for '# +ar, do no $i7" i'a%"s cu ou in ;uni+"r
or o!"r %ard"n suff6 !"# *" for c!i$dr"n. Li$"
$o1 !"d%"s, round, $i7" 1"$s, 1i! so'" +r"#
+#ra'ids, I $i7" 1"$$6 and in so'" +$ac"s, fair
co$u'ns u+on fra'"s of car+"n"r-s 1or7. I 1ou$d
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 98/124
a$so !a&" !" a$$"#s, s+acious and fair. You 'a#
!a&" c$os"r a$$"#s, u+on !" sid" %rounds, *u non"
in !" 'ain %ard"n. I 1is! a$so, in !" &"r# 'idd$",
a fair 'oun, 1i! !r"" asc"ns, and a$$"#s,
"nou%! for four o 1a$7 a*r"as6 1!ic! I 1ou$d
!a&" o *" +"rf"c circ$"s, 1i!ou an# *u$1ar7s
or "'*oss'"ns6 and !" 1!o$" 'oun o *" !ir#
foo !i%!6 and so'" fin" *an0u"in%2!ous", 1i!
so'" c!i'n"#s n"a$# cas, and 1i!ou oo 'uc!
%$ass.
For founains, !"# ar" a %r"a *"au# and r"2
fr"s!'"n6 *u +oo$s 'ar a$$, and 'a7" !" %ard"n
un1!o$"so'", and fu$$ of f$i"s and fro%s. Foun2
ains I in"nd o *" of 1o naur"s5 !" on" !a
s+rin7$"! or s+ou"! 1a"r6 !" o!"r a fair r"2
c"i+ of 1a"r, of so'" !ir# or for# foo s0uar",
*u 1i!ou fis!, or s$i'", or 'ud. For !" firs,
!" orna'"ns of i'a%"s %i$, or of 'ar*$", 1!ic!
ar" in us", do 1"$$5 *u !" 'ain 'a"r is so o
con&"# !" 1a"r, as i n"&"r sa#, "i!"r in !"*o1$s or in !" cis"rn6 !a !" 1a"r *" n"&"r *#
r"s disco$or"d, %r""n or r"d or !" $i7"6 or %a!"r
an# 'ossin"ss or +ur"facion. B"sid"s !a, i is o
*" c$"ans"d "&"r# da# *# !" !and. A$so so'"
s"+s u+ o i, and so'" fin" +a&"'"n a*ou i,
do! 1"$$. As for !" o!"r 7ind of founain, 1!ic!
1" 'a# ca$$ a *a!in% +oo$, i 'a# ad'i 'uc!
curiosi# and *"au#6 1!"r"1i! 1" 1i$$ no
rou*$" ours"$&"s5 as, !a !" *oo' *" fin"$#
+a&"d, and 1i! i'a%"s6 !" sid"s $i7"1is"6 and
1i!a$ "'*"$$is!"d 1i! co$or"d %$ass, and suc!
!in%s of $usr"6 "nco'+ass"d a$so 1i! fin" rai$s
of $o1 sauas. Bu !" 'ain +oin is !" sa'"
1!ic! 1" '"nion"d in !" for'"r 7ind of foun2
ain6 1!ic! is, !a !" 1a"r *" in +"r+"ua$
'oion, f"d *# a 1a"r !i%!"r !an !" +oo$, and
d"$i&"r"d ino i *# fair s+ous, and !"n dis2
c!ar%"d a1a# und"r %round, *# so'" "0ua$i# of
*or"s, !a i sa# $i$". And for fin" d"&ic"s, of
arc!in% 1a"r 1i!ou s+i$$in%, and 'a7in% i ris"
in s"&"ra$ for's 8of f"a!"rs, drin7in% %$ass"s,
cano+i"s, and !" $i7"9, !"# *" +r"# !in%s o
$oo7 on, *u no!in% o !"a$! and s1""n"ss.
For !" !"a!, 1!ic! 1as !" !ird +ar of our
+$o, I 1is! i o *" fra'"d, as 'uc! as 'a# *", o
a naura$ 1i$dn"ss. Tr""s I 1ou$d !a&" non" in i,*u so'" !ic7"s 'ad" on$# of s1""2*riar and
!on"#suc7$", and so'" 1i$d &in" a'on%s6 and
!" %round s" 1i! &io$"s, sra1*"rri"s, and
+ri'ros"s. For !"s" ar" s1"", and +ros+"r in !"
s!ad". And !"s" o *" in !" !"a!, !"r" and !"r",
no in an# ord"r. I $i7" a$so $i$" !"a+s, in !" na2
ur" of 'o$"2!i$$s 8suc! as ar" in 1i$d !"a!s9, o
*" s", so'" 1i! 1i$d !#'"6 so'" 1i! +in7s6
so'" 1i! %"r'and"r, !a %i&"s a %ood f$o1"r o
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 99/124
!" "#"6 so'" 1i! +"ri1in7$"6 so'" 1i! &io$"s6
so'" 1i! sra1*"rri"s6 so'" 1i! co1s$i+s6 so'"
1i! daisi"s6 so'" 1i! r"d ros"s6 so'" 1i! $i$iu'
con&a$$iu'6 so'" 1i! s1""21i$$ia's r"d6 so'"
1i! *"ar-s2foo5 and !" $i7" $o1 f$o1"rs, *"in%
1i!a$ s1"" and si%!$#. (ar of 1!ic! !"a+s, ar"
o *" 1i! sandards of $i$" *us!"s +ric7"d u+on
!"ir o+, and +ar 1i!ou. T!" sandards o *"
ros"s6 ;uni+"r6 !o$$#6 *"r*"rri"s 8*u !"r" and
!"r", *"caus" of !" s'"$$ of !"ir *$osso's96 r"d
currans6 %oos"*"rri"s6 ros"'ar#6 *a#s6 s1""2
*riar6 and suc! $i7". Bu !"s" sandards o *" 7"+
1i! cuin%, !a !"# %ro1 no ou of cours".
For !" sid" %rounds, #ou ar" o fi$$ !"' 1i!
&ari"# of a$$"#s, +ri&a", o %i&" a fu$$ s!ad", so'"
of !"', 1!"r"so"&"r !" sun *". You ar" o fra'"
so'" of !"', $i7"1is", for s!"$"r, !a 1!"n !"
1ind *$o1s s!ar+ #ou 'a# 1a$7 as in a %a$$"r#.
And !os" a$$"#s 'us *" $i7"1is" !"d%"d a *o!
"nds, o 7""+ ou !" 1ind6 and !"s" c$os"r a$$"#s'us *" "&"r fin"$# %ra&"$$"d, and no %rass, *"2
caus" of %oin% 1". In 'an# of !"s" a$$"#s, $i7"2
1is", #ou ar" o s" frui2r""s of a$$ sors6 as 1"$$
u+on !" 1a$$s, as in ran%"s. And !is 1ou$d *"
%"n"ra$$# o*s"r&"d, !a !" *ord"rs 1!"r"in #ou
+$an #our frui2r""s, *" fair and $ar%", and $o1,
and no s""+6 and s" 1i! fin" f$o1"rs, *u !in
and s+arin%$#, $"s !"# d"c"i&" !" r""s. A !"
"nd of *o! !" sid" %rounds, I 1ou$d !a&" a 'oun
of so'" +r"# !"i%!, $"a&in% !" 1a$$ of !" "n2
c$osur" *r"as !i%!, o $oo7 a*road ino !" fi"$ds.
For !" 'ain %ard"n, I do no d"n#, *u !"r"
s!ou$d *" so'" fair a$$"#s ran%"d on *o! sid"s,
1i! frui2r""s6 and so'" +r"# ufs of frui2
r""s, and ar*ors 1i! s"as, s" in so'" d"c"n
ord"r6 *u !"s" o *" *# no '"ans s" oo !ic76 *u
o $"a&" !" 'ain %ard"n so as i *" no c$os", *u
!" air o+"n and fr"". For as for s!ad", I 1ou$d
!a&" #ou r"s u+on !" a$$"#s of !" sid" %rounds,
!"r" o 1a$7, if #ou *" dis+os"d, in !" !"a of !"
#"ar or da#6 *u o 'a7" accoun, !a !" 'ain
%ard"n is for !" 'or" "'+"ra" +ars of !" #"ar6
and in !" !"a of su''"r, for !" 'ornin% and
!" "&"nin%, or o&"rcas da#s.
For a&iari"s, I $i7" !"' no, "c"+ !"# *" of!a $ar%"n"ss as !"# 'a# *" urf"d, and !a&"
$i&in% +$ans and *us!"s s" in !"'6 !a !" *irds
'a# !a&" 'or" sco+", and naura$ n"sin%, and
!a no fou$n"ss a++"ar in !" f$oor of !" a&iar#.
So I !a&" 'ad" a +$afor' of a +rinc"$# %ard"n,
+ar$# *# +r"c"+, +ar$# *# dra1in%, no a 'od"$,
*u so'" %"n"ra$ $in"s of i6 and in !is I !a&"
s+ar"d for no cos. Bu i is no!in% for %r"a
+rinc"s, !a for !" 'os +ar a7in% ad&ic" 1i!
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 100/124
1or7'"n, 1i! no $"ss cos s" !"ir !in%s o2
%"!"r6 and so'"i'"s add sauas and suc! !in%s
for sa" and 'a%nific"nc", *u no!in% o !" ru"
+$"asur" of a %ard"n.
Of N"%oiain%
IT IS %"n"ra$$# *""r o d"a$ *# s+""c! !an *#
$""r6 and *# !" '"diaion of a !ird !an *#
a 'an-s s"$f. L""rs ar" %ood, 1!"n a 'an 1ou$d
dra1 an ans1"r *# $""r *ac7 a%ain6 or 1!"n i
'a# s"r&" for a 'an-s ;usificaion af"r1ards o
+roduc" !is o1n $""r6 or 1!"r" i 'a# *" dan%"r
o *" in"rru+"d, or !"ard *# +i"c"s. To d"a$ in
+"rson is %ood, 1!"n a 'an-s fac" *r""d"! r"%ard,
as co''on$# 1i! inf"riors6 or in "nd"r cas"s,1!"r" a 'an-s "#", u+on !" coun"nanc" of !i'
1i! 1!o' !" s+"a7"!, 'a# %i&" !i' a dir"cion
!o1 far o %o6 and %"n"ra$$#, 1!"r" a 'an 1i$$
r"s"r&" o !i's"$f $i*"r#, "i!"r o disa&o1 or o
"+ound. In c!oic" of insru'"ns, i is *""r o
c!oos" '"n of a +$ain"r sor, !a ar" $i7" o do
!a, !a is co''i"d o !"', and o r"+or *ac7
a%ain fai!fu$$# !" succ"ss, !an !os" !a ar"
cunnin%, o conri&", ou of o!"r '"n-s *usin"ss,
so'"1!a o %rac" !"'s"$&"s, and 1i$$ !"$+ !"
'a"r in r"+or for saisfacion-s sa7". Us" a$so
suc! +"rsons as aff"c !" *usin"ss, 1!"r"in !"#
ar" "'+$o#"d6 for !a 0uic7"n"! 'uc!6 and
suc!, as ar" fi for !" 'a"r6 as *o$d '"n for "2
+osu$aion, fair2s+o7"n '"n for +"rsuasion, craf#
'"n for in0uir# and o*s"r&aion, fro1ard, and
a*surd '"n, for *usin"ss !a do! no 1"$$ *"ar
ou is"$f. Us" a$so suc! as !a&" *""n $uc7#, and
+r"&ai$"d *"for", in !in%s 1!"r"in #ou !a&" "'2
+$o#"d !"'6 for !a *r""ds confid"nc", and !"#
1i$$ sri&" o 'ainain !"ir +r"scri+ion. I is *"2
"r o sound a +"rson, 1i! 1!o' on" d"a$s afar
off, !an o fa$$ u+on !" +oin a firs6 "c"+ #ou
'"an o sur+ris" !i' *# so'" s!or 0u"sion. I is
*""r d"a$in% 1i! '"n in a++"i", !an 1i!
!os" !a ar" 1!"r" !"# 1ou$d *". If a 'an d"a$
1i! ano!"r u+on condiions, !" sar or firs +"r2for'anc" is a$$6 1!ic! a 'an canno r"asona*$#
d"'and, "c"+ "i!"r !" naur" of !" !in% *"
suc!, 1!ic! 'us %o *"for"6 or "$s" a 'an can
+"rsuad" !" o!"r +ar#, !a !" s!a$$ si$$ n""d
!i' in so'" o!"r !in%6 or "$s" !a !" *" coun"d
!" !on"s"r 'an. A$$ +racic" is o disco&"r, or o
1or7. M"n disco&"r !"'s"$&"s in rus, in +assion,
a una1ar"s, and of n"c"ssi#, 1!"n !"# 1ou$d
!a&" so'"1!a don", and canno find an a+ +r"2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 101/124
". If #ou 1ou$d 1or7 an# 'an, #ou 'us "i!"r
7no1 !is naur" and fas!ions, and so $"ad !i'6 or
!is "nds, and so +"rsuad" !i'6 or !is 1"a7n"ss and
disad&ana%"s, and so a1" !i'6 or !os" !a !a&"
in"r"s in !i', and so %o&"rn !i'. In d"a$in% 1i!
cunnin% +"rsons,1" 'us "&"r consid"r !"ir "nds,
o in"r+r" !"ir s+""c!"s6 and i is %ood o sa#
$i$" o !"', and !a 1!ic! !"# $"as $oo7 for.
In a$$ n"%oiaions of difficu$#, a 'an 'a# no
$oo7 o so1 and r"a+ a onc"6 *u 'us +r"+ar"
*usin"ss, and so ri+"n i *# d"%r""s.
f Fo$$o1"rs
AND FRIENDS
COSTLY fo$$o1"rs ar" no o *" $i7"d6 $"s
1!i$" a 'an 'a7"! !is rain $on%"r, !"
'a7" !is 1in%s s!or"r. I r"c7on o *" cos$#, no
!"' a$on" 1!ic! c!ar%" !" +urs", *u 1!ic! ar"
1"ariso'", and i'+orun" in suis. Ordinar# fo$2
$o1"rs ou%! o c!a$$"n%" no !i%!"r condiions,
!an coun"nanc", r"co''"ndaion, and +ro"c2
ion fro' 1ron%s. Facious fo$$o1"rs ar" 1ors" o
*" $i7"d, 1!ic! fo$$o1 no u+on aff"cion o !i',
1i! 1!o' !"# ran%" !"'s"$&"s, *u u+on
discon"n'"n conc"i&"d a%ains so'" o!"r6
1!"r"u+on co''on$# "nsu"! !a i$$ in"$$i2
%"nc", !a 1" 'an# i'"s s"" *"1""n %r"a +"r2
sona%"s. Li7"1is" %$orious fo$$o1"rs, 1!o 'a7"
!"'s"$&"s as ru'+"s of !" co''"ndaion of
!os" !"# fo$$o1, ar" fu$$ of incon&"ni"nc"6 for
!"# ain *usin"ss !rou%! 1an of s"cr"c#6 and
!"# "+or !onor fro' a 'an, and 'a7" !i' a
r"urn in "n&#. T!"r" is a 7ind of fo$$o1"rs $i7"2
1is", 1!ic! ar" dan%"rous, *"in% ind""d "s+ia$s6
1!ic! in0uir" !" s"cr"s of !" !ous", and *"ar
a$"s of !"', o o!"rs. Y" suc! '"n, 'an# i'"s,
ar" in %r"a fa&or6 for !"# ar" officious, and co'2
'on$# "c!an%" a$"s. T!" fo$$o1in% *# c"rain"sa"s of '"n, ans1"ra*$" o !a, 1!ic! a %r"a
+"rson !i's"$f +rof"ss"! 8as of so$di"rs, o !i'
!a !a! *""n "'+$o#"d in !" 1ars, and !" $i7"9,
!a! "&"r *""n a !in% ci&i$, and 1"$$ a7"n, "&"n
in 'onarc!i"s6 so i *" 1i!ou oo 'uc! +o'+
or +o+u$ari#. Bu !" 'os !onora*$" 7ind of fo$2
$o1in%, is o *" fo$$o1"d as on", !a a++r"!"nd"!
o ad&anc" &iru", and d"s"r, in a$$ sors of +"r2
sons. And #", 1!"r" !"r" is no "'in"n odds in
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 102/124
suffici"nc#, i is *""r o a7" 1i! !" 'or" +ass2
a*$", !an 1i! !" 'or" a*$". And *"sid"s, o
s+"a7 ru!, in *as" i'"s, aci&" '"n ar" of 'or"
us" !an &iruous. I is ru" !a in %o&"rn'"n, i
is %ood o us" '"n of on" ran7 "0ua$$#5 for o coun2
"nanc" so'" "raordinari$#, is o 'a7" !"'
inso$"n, and !" r"s discon"n6 *"caus" !"#
'a# c$ai' a du". Bu conrari1is", in fa&or, o
us" '"n 1i! 'uc! diff"r"nc" and "$"cion is
%ood6 for i 'a7"! !" +"rsons +r"f"rr"d 'or"
!an7fu$, and !" r"s 'or" officious5 *"caus" a$$ is
of fa&or. I is %ood discr"ion, no o 'a7" oo 'uc!
of an# 'an a !" firs6 *"caus" on" canno !o$d
ou !a +ro+orion. To *" %o&"rn"d 8as 1" ca$$ i9
*# on" is no saf"6 for i s!o1s sofn"ss, and %i&"s
a fr""do', o scanda$ and disr"+uaion6 for !os",
!a 1ou$d no c"nsur" or s+"a7 i$$ of a 'an i''"2
dia"$#, 1i$$ a$7 'or" *o$d$# of !os" !a ar" so
%r"a 1i! !"', and !"r"*# 1ound !"ir !onor.
Y" o *" disrac"d 1i! 'an# is 1ors"6 for i
'a7"s '"n o *" of !" $as i'+r"ssion, and fu$$ ofc!an%". To a7" ad&ic" of so'" f"1 fri"nds, is "&"r
!onora*$"6 for $oo7"rs2on 'an# i'"s s"" 'or"
!an %a'"s"rs6 and !" &a$" *"s disco&"r"! !"
!i$$. T!"r" is $i$" fri"nds!i+ in !" 1or$d, and $"as
of a$$ *"1""n "0ua$s, 1!ic! 1as 1on o *" 'a%2
nifi"d. T!a !a is, is *"1""n su+"rior and in2
f"rior, 1!os" forun"s 'a# co'+r"!"nd !" on"
!" o!"r.
Of Suiors
MANY i$$ 'a"rs and +ro;"cs ar" und"r2
a7"n6 and +ri&a" suis do +ur"f# !" +u*2
$ic %ood. Man# %ood 'a"rs, ar" und"ra7"n 1i!
*ad 'inds6 I '"an no on$# corru+ 'inds, *u
craf# 'inds, !a in"nd no +"rfor'anc". So'"
"'*rac" suis, 1!ic! n"&"r '"an o d"a$ "ff"cu2
a$$# in !"'6 *u if !"# s"" !"r" 'a# *" $if" in
!" 'a"r, *# so'" o!"r '"an, !"# 1i$$ *" con2
"n o 1in a !an7, or a7" a s"cond r"1ard, or a
$"as o 'a7" us", in !" '"ani'", of !" suior-s
!o+"s. So'" a7" !o$d of suis, on$# for an occa2sion o cross so'" o!"r6 or o 'a7" an infor'a2
ion, 1!"r"of !"# cou$d no o!"r1is" !a&" a+
+r""6 1i!ou car" 1!a *"co'" of !" sui,
1!"n !a urn is s"r&"d6 or, %"n"ra$$#, o 'a7"
o!"r '"n-s *usin"ss a 7ind of "n"rain'"n, o
*rin% in !"ir o1n. Na#, so'" und"ra7" suis,
1i! a fu$$ +ur+os" o $" !"' fa$$6 o !" "nd o
%raif# !" ad&"rs" +ar#, or co'+"ior. Sur"$#
!"r" is in so'" sor a ri%! in "&"r# sui6 "i!"r a
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 103/124
ri%! of "0ui#, if i *" a sui of conro&"rs#6 or a
ri%! of d"s"r, if i *" a sui of +"iion. If aff"cion
$"ad a 'an o fa&or !" 1ron% sid" in ;usic", $"
!i' ra!"r us" !is coun"nanc" o co'+ound !"
'a"r, !an o carr# i. If aff"cion $"ad a 'an
o fa&or !" $"ss 1or!# in d"s"r, $" !i' do i,
1i!ou d"+ra&in% or disa*$in% !" *""r d"s"r&"r.
In suis 1!ic! a 'an do! no 1"$$ und"rsand, i
is %ood o r"f"r !"' o so'" fri"nd of rus and
;ud%'"n, !a 'a# r"+or, 1!"!"r !" 'a# d"a$
in !"' 1i! !onor5 *u $" !i' c!oos" 1"$$ !is
r"f"r"ndari"s, for "$s" !" 'a# *" $"d *# !" nos".
Suiors ar" so disas"d 1i! d"$a#s and a*us"s,
!a +$ain d"a$in%, in d"n#in% o d"a$ in suis a
firs, and r"+orin% !" succ"ss *ar"$#, and in c!a$2
$"n%in% no 'or" !an7s !an on" !a! d"s"r&"d,
is %ro1n no on$# !onora*$", *u a$so %racious. In
suis of fa&or, !" firs co'in% ou%! o a7" $i$"
+$ac"5 so far for!, consid"raion 'a# *" !ad of
!is rus, !a if in"$$i%"nc" of !" 'a"r cou$d
no o!"r1is" !a&" *""n !ad, *u *# !i', ad&an2a%" *" no a7"n of !" no", *u !" +ar# $"f o
!is o!"r '"ans6 and in so'" sor r"co'+"ns"d,
for !is disco&"r#. To *" i%noran of !" &a$u" of a
sui, is si'+$ici#6 as 1"$$ as o *" i%noran of !"
ri%! !"r"of, is 1an of consci"nc". S"cr"c# in
suis, is a %r"a '"an of o*ainin%6 for &oicin%
!"' o *" in for1ardn"ss, 'a# discoura%" so'"
7ind of suiors, *u do! 0uic7"n and a1a7" o!"rs.
Bu i'in% of !" sui is !" +rinci+a$. Ti'in%, I
sa#, no on$# in r"s+"c of !" +"rson !a s!ou$d
%ran i, *u in r"s+"c of !os", 1!ic! ar" $i7" o
cross i. L" a 'an, in !" c!oic" of !is '"an, ra!"r
c!oos" !" fi"s '"an, !an !" %r"a"s '"an6
and ra!"r !"' !a d"a$ in c"rain !in%s, !an
!os" !a ar" %"n"ra$. T!" r"+araion of a d"nia$,
is so'"i'"s "0ua$ o !" firs %ran6 if a 'an
s!o1 !i's"$f n"i!"r d";"c"d nor discon"n"d.
Ini0uu' +"as u a"0uu' f"ras is a %ood ru$",
1!"r" a 'an !a! sr"n%! of fa&or5 *u o!"r2
1is", a 'an 1"r" *""r ris" in !is sui6 for
!", !a 1ou$d !a&" &"nur"d a firs o !a&" $os
!" suior, 1i$$ no in !" conc$usion $os" *o! !"
suior, and !is o1n for'"r fa&or. No!in% is
!ou%! so "as# a r"0u"s o a %r"a +"rson, as !is
$""r6 and #", if i *" no in a %ood caus", i is so
'uc! ou of !is r"+uaion. T!"r" ar" no 1ors"
insru'"ns, !an !"s" %"n"ra$ conri&"rs of suis6for !"# ar" *u a 7ind of +oison, and inf"cion, o
+u*$ic +roc""din%s.
Of Sudi"s
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 104/124
STUDIES s"r&" for d"$i%!, for orna'"n, and
for a*i$i#. T!"ir c!i"f us" for d"$i%!, is in
+ri&a"n"ss and r"irin%6 for orna'"n, is in dis2
cours"6 and for a*i$i#, is in !" ;ud%'"n, and
dis+osiion of *usin"ss. For "+"r '"n can ""2
cu", and +"r!a+s ;ud%" of +aricu$ars, on" *# on"6
*u !" %"n"ra$ couns"$s, and !" +$os and 'ar2
s!a$$in% of affairs, co'" *"s, fro' !os" !a ar"
$"arn"d. To s+"nd oo 'uc! i'" in sudi"s is s$o!6
o us" !"' oo 'uc! for orna'"n, is aff"caion6
o 'a7" ;ud%'"n 1!o$$# *# !"ir ru$"s, is !"
!u'or of a sc!o$ar. T!"# +"rf"c naur", and ar"
+"rf"c"d *# "+"ri"nc"5 for naura$ a*i$ii"s ar"
$i7" naura$ +$ans, !a n""d +ro#nin%, *# sud#6
and sudi"s !"'s"$&"s, do %i&" for! dir"cions oo
'uc! a $ar%", "c"+ !"# *" *ound"d in *# "2
+"ri"nc". Craf# '"n con"'n sudi"s, si'+$" '"n
ad'ir" !"', and 1is" '"n us" !"'6 for !"#
"ac! no !"ir o1n us"6 *u !a is a 1isdo' 1i!2
ou !"', and a*o&" !"', 1on *# o*s"r&aion.R"ad no o conradic and confu"6 nor o *"$i"&"
and a7" for %ran"d6 nor o find a$7 and dis2
cours"6 *u o 1"i%! and consid"r. So'" *oo7s ar"
o *" as"d, o!"rs o *" s1a$$o1"d, and so'" f"1
o *" c!"1"d and di%"s"d6 !a is, so'" *oo7s ar"
o *" r"ad on$# in +ars6 o!"rs o *" r"ad, *u no
curious$#6 and so'" f"1 o *" r"ad 1!o$$#, and
1i! di$i%"nc" and a"nion. So'" *oo7s a$so 'a#
*" r"ad *# d"+u#, and "racs 'ad" of !"' *#
o!"rs6 *u !a 1ou$d *" on$# in !" $"ss i'+or2
an ar%u'"ns, and !" '"an"r sor of *oo7s, "$s"
disi$$"d *oo7s ar" $i7" co''on disi$$"d 1a"rs,
f$as!# !in%s. R"adin% 'a7"! a fu$$ 'an6 conf"r2
"nc" a r"ad# 'an6 and 1riin% an "ac 'an. And
!"r"for", if a 'an 1ri" $i$", !" !ad n""d !a&"
a %r"a '"'or#6 if !" conf"r $i$", !" !ad n""d
!a&" a +r"s"n 1i5 and if !" r"ad $i$", !" !ad
n""d !a&" 'uc! cunnin%, o s""' o 7no1, !a
!" do! no. Hisori"s 'a7" '"n 1is"6 +o"s 1i#6
!" 'a!"'aics su*i$"6 naura$ +!i$oso+!# d""+6
'ora$ %ra&"6 $o%ic and r!"oric a*$" o con"nd.
A*"un sudia in 'or"s. Na#, !"r" is no sond or
i'+"di'"n in !" 1i, *u 'a# *" 1rou%! ou
*# fi sudi"s6 $i7" as dis"as"s of !" *od#, 'a#
!a&" a++ro+ria" ""rcis"s. Bo1$in% is %ood for
!" son" and r"ins6 s!ooin% for !" $un%s and
*r"as6 %"n$" 1a$7in% for !" so'ac!6 ridin% for!" !"ad6 and !" $i7". So if a 'an-s 1i *" 1an2
d"rin%, $" !i' sud# !" 'a!"'aics6 for in
d"'onsraions, if !is 1i *" ca$$"d a1a# n"&"r so
$i$", !" 'us *"%in a%ain. If !is 1i *" no a+ o
disin%uis! or find diff"r"nc"s, $" !i' sud# !"
Sc!oo$'"n6 for !"# ar" c#'ini s"cor"s. If !" *"
no a+ o *"a o&"r 'a"rs, and o ca$$ u+ on"
!in% o +ro&" and i$$usra" ano!"r, $" !i' sud#
!" $a1#"rs- cas"s. So "&"r# d"f"c of !" 'ind,
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 105/124
'a# !a&" a s+"cia$ r"c"i+.
Of Facion
MANY !a&" an o+inion no 1is", !a for a
+rinc" o %o&"rn !is "sa", or for a %r"a
+"rson o %o&"rn !is +roc""din%s, accordin% o !"
r"s+"c of facions, is a +rinci+a$ +ar of +o$ic#6
1!"r"as conrari1is", !" c!i"f"s 1isdo', is
"i!"r in ord"rin% !os" !in%s 1!ic! ar" %"n"ra$,
and 1!"r"in '"n of s"&"ra$ facions do n"&"r!"2
$"ss a%r""6 or in d"a$in% 1i! corr"s+ond"nc" o
+aricu$ar +"rsons, on" *# on". Bu I sa# no !a
!" consid"raions of facions, is o *" n"%$"c"d.
M"an '"n, in !"ir risin%, 'us ad!"r"6 *u
%r"a '"n, !a !a&" sr"n%! in !"'s"$&"s, 1"r"*""r o 'ainain !"'s"$&"s indiff"r"n, and
n"ura$. Y" "&"n in *"%inn"rs, o ad!"r" so 'od"r2
a"$#, as !" *" a 'an of !" on" facion, 1!ic! is
'os +assa*$" 1i! !" o!"r, co''on$# %i&"!
*"s 1a#. T!" $o1"r and 1"a7"r facion, is !"
fir'"r in con;uncion6 and i is of"n s""n, !a a
f"1 !a ar" siff, do ir" ou a %r"a"r nu'*"r, !a
ar" 'or" 'od"ra". !"n on" of !" facions is "2
in%uis!"d, !" r"'ainin% su*di&id"!6 as !"
facion *"1""n Lucu$$us, and !" r"s of !"
no*$"s of !" s"na" 81!ic! !"# ca$$"d O+i'a"s9
!"$d ou a1!i$", a%ains !" facion of (o'+"#
and Ca"sar6 *u 1!"n !" s"na"-s au!ori# 1as
+u$$"d do1n, Ca"sar and (o'+"# soon af"r *ra7".
T!" facion or +ar# of Anonius and Oca&ianus
Ca"sar, a%ains Bruus and Cassius, !"$d ou $i7"2
1is" for a i'"6 *u 1!"n Bruus and Cassius 1"r"
o&"r!ro1n, !"n soon af"r, Anonius and Oca2
&ianus *ra7" and su*di&id"d. T!"s" "a'+$"s ar"
of 1ars, *u !" sa'" !o$d"! in +ri&a" facions.
And !"r"for", !os" !a ar" s"conds in facions,
do 'an# i'"s, 1!"n !" facion su*di&id"!,
+ro&" +rinci+a$s6 *u 'an# i'"s a$so, !"# +ro&"
ci+!"rs and cas!i"r"d6 for 'an# a 'an-s sr"n%!
is in o++osiion6 and 1!"n !a fai$"!, !" %ro1"!
ou of us". I is co''on$# s""n, !a '"n, onc"
+$ac"d, a7" in 1i! !" conrar# facion, o !a*# 1!ic! !"# "n"r5 !in7in% *"$i7", !a !"#
!a&" !" firs sur", and no1 ar" r"ad# for a n"1
+urc!as". T!" raior in facion, $i%!$# %o"!
a1a# 1i! i6 for 1!"n 'a"rs !a&" suc7 $on% in
*a$ancin%, !" 1innin% of so'" on" 'an cas"!
!"', and !" %""! a$$ !" !an7s. T!" "&"n car2
ria%" *"1""n 1o facions, +roc""d"! no a$1a#s
of 'od"raion, *u of a ru"n"ss o a 'an-s s"$f,
1i! "nd o 'a7" us" of *o!. C"rain$# in Ia$#,
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 106/124
!"# !o$d i a $i$" sus+"c in +o+"s, 1!"n !"#
!a&" of"n in !"ir 'ou! (adr" co''un"5 and
a7" i o *" a si%n of on", !a '"an"! o r"f"r a$$
o !" %r"an"ss of !is o1n !ous". /in%s !ad n""d
*"1ar", !o1 !"# sid" !"'s"$&"s, and 'a7"
!"'s"$&"s as of a facion or +ar#6 for $"a%u"s
1i!in !" sa", ar" "&"r +"rnicious o 'onarc!i"s5
for !"# rais" an o*$i%aion, +ara'oun o o*$i%a2
ion of so&"r"i%n#, and 'a7" !" 7in% an0ua'
unus " no*is6 as 1as o *" s""n in !" L"a%u" of
Franc". !"n facions ar" carri"d oo !i%! and oo
&io$"n$#, i is a si%n of 1"a7n"ss in +rinc"s6 and
'uc! o !" +r";udic", *o! of !"ir au!ori# and
*usin"ss. T!" 'oions of facions und"r 7in%s
ou%! o *", $i7" !" 'oions 8as !" asrono'"rs
s+"a79 of !" inf"rior or*s, 1!ic! 'a# !a&" !"ir
+ro+"r 'oions, *u #" si$$ ar" 0ui"$# carri"d, *#
!" !i%!"r 'oion of +ri'u' 'o*i$".
Of C"r"'oni"s,
AND RES(ECTS
HE THAT is on$# r"a$, !ad n""d !a&" "c""d2
in% %r"a +ars of &iru"6 as !" son" !ad
n""d o *" ric!, !a is s" 1i!ou foi$. Bu if a
'an 'ar7 i 1"$$, i is, in +rais" and co''"nda2
ion of '"n, as i is in %"in%s and %ains5 for !"
+ro&"r* is ru", T!a $i%! %ains 'a7" !"a&#
+urs"s6 for $i%! %ains co'" !ic7, 1!"r"as %r"a,
co'" *u no1 and !"n. So i is ru", !a s'a$$
'a"rs 1in %r"a co''"ndaion, *"caus" !"#
ar" coninua$$# in us" and in no"5 1!"r"as !"
occasion of an# %r"a &iru", co'"! *u on f"si2
&a$s. T!"r"for" i do! 'uc! add o a 'an-s r"+ua2
ion, and is 8as >u""n Isa*"$$a said9 $i7" +"r+"ua$
$""rs co''"ndaor#, o !a&" %ood for's. To a2
ain !"', i a$'os suffic"! no o d"s+is" !"'6
for so s!a$$ a 'an o*s"r&" !"' in o!"rs6 and $"
!i' rus !i's"$f 1i! !" r"s. For if !" $a*or oo'uc! o "+r"ss !"', !" s!a$$ $os" !"ir %rac"6
1!ic! is o *" naura$ and unaff"c"d. So'" '"n-s
*"!a&ior is $i7" a &"rs", 1!"r"in "&"r# s#$$a*$" is
'"asur"d6 !o1 can a 'an co'+r"!"nd %r"a 'a2
"rs, !a *r"a7"! !is 'ind oo 'uc!, o s'a$$
o*s"r&aions: No o us" c"r"'oni"s a a$$, is o
"ac! o!"rs no o us" !"' a%ain6 and so di'in2
is!"! r"s+"c o !i's"$f6 "s+"cia$$# !"# *" no o
*" o'i"d, o sran%"rs and for'a$ naur"s6 *u
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 107/124
!" d1"$$in% u+on !"', and "a$in% !"' a*o&"
!" 'oon, is no on$# "dious, *u do! di'inis!
!" fai! and cr"di of !i' !a s+"a7s. And c"r2
ain$#, !"r" is a 7ind of con&"#in%, of "ff"cua$
and i'+rinin% +assa%"s a'on%s co'+$i'"ns,
1!ic! is of sin%u$ar us", if a 'an can !i u+on i.
A'on%s a 'an-s +""rs, a 'an s!a$$ *" sur" of
fa'i$iari#6 and !"r"for" i is %ood, a $i$" o 7""+
sa". A'on%s a 'an-s inf"riors on" s!a$$ *" sur"
of r"&"r"nc"6 and !"r"for" i is %ood, a $i$" o *"
fa'i$iar. H" !a is oo 'uc! in an#!in%, so !a
!" %i&"! ano!"r occasion of sai"#, 'a7"! !i'2
s"$f c!"a+. To a++$# on"-s s"$f o o!"rs, is %ood6 so
i *" 1i! d"'onsraion, !a a 'an do! i u+on
r"%ard, and no u+on faci$i#. I is a %ood +r"c"+
%"n"ra$$#, in s"condin% ano!"r, #" o add so'"2
1!a of on"-s o1n5 as if #ou 1i$$ %ran !is o+inion,
$" i *" 1i! so'" disincion6 if #ou 1i$$ fo$$o1
!is 'oion, $" i *" 1i! condiion6 if #ou a$$o1
!is couns"$, $" i *" 1i! a$$"%in% fur!"r r"ason.
M"n !ad n""d *"1ar", !o1 !"# *" oo +"rf"c inco'+$i'"ns6 for *" !"# n"&"r so suffici"n o!"r2
1is", !"ir "n&i"rs 1i$$ *" sur" o %i&" !"' !a
ari*u", o !" disad&ana%" of !"ir %r"a"r &ir2
u"s. I is $oss a$so in *usin"ss, o *" oo fu$$ of r"2
s+"cs, or o *" curious, in o*s"r&in% i'"s and
o++orunii"s. So$o'on sai!, H" !a consid"r"!
!" 1ind, s!a$$ no so1, and !" !a $oo7"! o
!" c$ouds, s!a$$ no r"a+. A 1is" 'an 1i$$ 'a7"
'or" o++orunii"s, !an !" finds. M"n-s *"!a&ior
s!ou$d *", $i7" !"ir a++ar"$, no oo srai or +oin
d"&ic", *u fr"" for ""rcis" or 'oion.
Of (rais"
(RAISE is !" r"f$"cion of &iru"6 *u i is as
!" %$ass or *od#, 1!ic! %i&"! !" r"f$"c2
ion. If i *" fro' !" co''on +"o+$", i is co'2
'on$# fa$s" and nau%!6 and ra!"r fo$$o1"! &ain
+"rsons, !an &iruous. For !" co''on +"o+$"
und"rsand no 'an# "c"$$"n &iru"s. T!" $o1"s
&iru"s dra1 +rais" fro' !"'6 !" 'idd$" &iru"s1or7 in !"' asonis!'"n or ad'iraion6 *u of
!" !i%!"s &iru"s, !"# !a&" no s"ns" of +"rc"i&2
in% a a$$. Bu s!o1s, and s+"ci"s &irui*us si'i$"s,
s"r&" *"s 1i! !"'. C"rain$# fa'" is $i7" a ri&"r,
!a *"ar"! u+ !in%s $i%! and s1o$n, and dro1ns
!in%s 1"i%!# and so$id. Bu if +"rsons of 0ua$i#
and ;ud%'"n concur, !"n i is 8as !" Scri+ur"
sai!9 no'"n *onu' insar un%u"ni fra%ranis.
I fir"! a$$ round a*ou, and 1i$$ no "asi$# a1a#.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 108/124
For !" odors of oin'"ns ar" 'or" dura*$", !an
!os" of f$o1"rs. T!"r" *" so 'an# fa$s" +oins of
+rais", !a a 'an 'a# ;us$# !o$d i a sus+"c.
So'" +rais"s +roc""d '"r"$# of f$a"r#6 and if !"
*" an ordinar# f$a"r"r, !" 1i$$ !a&" c"rain co'2
'on ari*u"s, 1!ic! 'a# s"r&" "&"r# 'an6 if !"
*" a cunnin% f$a"r"r, !" 1i$$ fo$$o1 !" arc!2
f$a"r"r, 1!ic! is a 'an-s s"$f6 and 1!"r"in a 'an
!in7"! *"s of !i's"$f, !"r"in !" f$a"r"r 1i$$
u+!o$d !i' 'os5 *u if !" *" an i'+ud"n f$a2
"r"r, $oo7 1!"r"in a 'an is conscious o !i's"$f,
!a !" is 'os d"f"ci&", and is 'os ou of coun"2
nanc" in !i's"$f, !a 1i$$ !" f$a"r"r "ni$" !i'
o +"rforc", s+r"a consci"nia. So'" +rais"s co'"
of %ood 1is!"s and r"s+"cs, 1!ic! is a for' du", in
ci&i$i#, o 7in%s and %r"a +"rsons, $audando
+ra"ci+"r", 1!"n *# "$$in% '"n 1!a !"# ar",
!"# r"+r"s"n o !"', 1!a !"# s!ou$d *". So'"
'"n ar" +rais"d 'a$icious$#, o !"ir !ur, !"r"*#
o sir "n&# and ;"a$ous# o1ards !"'5 +"ssi'u'
%"nus ini'icoru' $audaniu'6 inso'uc! as i1as a +ro&"r*, a'on%s !" )r"cians, !a !" !a
1as +rais"d o !is !ur, s!ou$d !a&" a +us! ris"
u+on !is nos"6 as 1" sa#, !a a *$is"r 1i$$ ris"
u+on on"-s on%u", !a "$$s a $i". C"rain$# 'od2
"ra" +rais", us"d 1i! o++oruni#, and no &u$2
%ar, is !a 1!ic! do! !" %ood. So$o'on sai!,
H" !a +rais"! !is fri"nd a$oud, risin% "ar$#, i
s!a$$ *" o !i' no *""r !an a curs". Too 'uc!
'a%nif#in% of 'an or 'a"r, do! irria" con2
radicion, and +rocur" "n&# and scorn. To +rais"
a 'an-s s"$f, canno *" d"c"n, "c"+ i *" in rar"
cas"s6 *u o +rais" a 'an-s offic" or +rof"ssion, !"
'a# do i 1i! %ood %rac", and 1i! a 7ind of 'a%2
nani'i#. T!" cardina$s of Ro'", 1!ic! ar" !"o2
$o%u"s, and friars, and Sc!oo$'"n, !a&" a +!ras"
of noa*$" con"'+ and scorn o1ards ci&i$ *usi2
n"ss5 for !"# ca$$ a$$ "'+ora$ *usin"ss of 1ars,
"'*assa%"s, ;udicaur", and o!"r "'+$o#'"ns,
s*irr"ri", 1!ic! is und"r2s!"riffri"s6 as if !"#
1"r" *u 'a"rs, for und"r2s!"riffs and cac!2
+o$"s5 !ou%! 'an# i'"s !os" und"r2s!"riffri"s
do 'or" %ood, !an !"ir !i%! s+"cu$aions. S.
(au$, 1!"n !" *oass of !i's"$f, !" do! of in"r2
$ac", I s+"a7 $i7" a foo$6 *u s+"a7in% of !is ca$$in%,
!" sai!, 'a%nifica*o a+oso$au' '"u'.
Of Vain2%$or#
IT AS +r"i$# d"&is"d of AEso+, T!" f$# sa
u+on !" a$"2r"" of !" c!ario 1!""$, and
said, !a a dus do I rais"= So ar" !"r" so'" &ain
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 109/124
+"rsons, !a 1!aso"&"r %o"! a$on", or 'o&"!
u+on %r"a"r '"ans, if !"# !a&" n"&"r so $i$"
!and in i, !"# !in7 i is !"# !a carr# i. T!"#
!a ar" %$orious, 'us n""ds *" facious6 for a$$
*ra&"r# sands u+on co'+arisons. T!"# 'us
n""ds *" &io$"n, o 'a7" %ood !"ir o1n &auns.
N"i!"r can !"# *" s"cr", and !"r"for" no "f2
f"cua$6 *u accordin% o !" Fr"nc! +ro&"r*,
B"aucou+ d" *rui, +"u d" frui6 Muc! *rui $i$"
frui. Y" c"rain$#, !"r" is us" of !is 0ua$i# in
ci&i$ affairs. !"r" !"r" is an o+inion and fa'" o
*" cr"a"d, "i!"r of &iru" or %r"an"ss, !"s" '"n
ar" %ood ru'+""rs. A%ain, as Tius Li&ius no"!,
in !" cas" of Anioc!us and !" AEo$ians, T!"r"
ar" so'"i'"s %r"a "ff"cs, of cross $i"s6 as if a
'an, !a n"%oia"s *"1""n 1o +rinc"s, o dra1
!"' o ;oin in a 1ar a%ains !" !ird, do! "o$
!" forc"s of "i!"r of !"', a*o&" '"asur", !"
on" o !" o!"r5 and so'"i'"s !" !a d"a$s *"2
1""n 'an and 'an, rais"! !is o1n cr"di 1i!
*o!, *# +r""ndin% %r"a"r in"r"s !an !" !a!in "i!"r. And in !"s" and !" $i7" 7inds, i of"n
fa$$s ou, !a so'"1!a is +roduc"d of no!in%6
for $i"s ar" suffici"n o *r""d o+inion, and o+inion
*rin%s on su*sanc". In 'i$iar co''and"rs and
so$di"rs, &ain2%$or# is an "ss"nia$ +oin6 for as
iron s!ar+"ns iron, so *# %$or#, on" coura%" s!ar+2
"n"! ano!"r. In cas"s of %r"a "n"r+ris" u+on
c!ar%" and ad&"nur", a co'+osiion of %$orious
naur"s, do! +u $if" ino *usin"ss6 and !os" !a
ar" of so$id and so*"r naur"s, !a&" 'or" of !"
*a$$as, !an of !" sai$. In fa'" of $"arnin%, !"
f$i%! 1i$$ *" s$o1 1i!ou so'" f"a!"rs of os"n2
aion. >ui d" con"'n"nda %$oria $i*ros scri2
*un, no'"n, suu' inscri*un. Socra"s, Ariso$",
)a$"n, 1"r" '"n fu$$ of os"naion. C"rain$#
&ain2%$or# !"$+"! o +"r+"ua" a 'an-s '"'or#6
and &iru" 1as n"&"r so *"!o$din% o !u'an na2
ur", as i r"c"i&"d !is du" a !" s"cond !and.
N"i!"r !ad !" fa'" of Cic"ro, S"n"ca, ($inius
S"cundus, *orn" !"r a%" so 1"$$, if i !ad no *""n
;oin"d 1i! so'" &ani# in !"'s"$&"s6 $i7" uno
&arnis!, !a 'a7"s c"i$in%s no on$# s!in" *u
$as. Bu a$$ !is 1!i$", 1!"n I s+"a7 of &ain2%$or#,
I '"an no of !a +ro+"r#, !a Tacius do! a2
ri*u" o Mucianus6 O'niu' 0ua" di"ra f"c"2
ra0u" ar" 0uada' os"naor5 for !a +roc""ds
no of &ani#, *u of naura$ 'a%nani'i# anddiscr"ion6 and in so'" +"rsons, is no on$# co'"$#,
*u %racious. For "cusaions, c"ssions, 'od"s#
is"$f 1"$$ %o&"rn"d, ar" *u ars of os"naion.
And a'on%s !os" ars, !"r" is non" *""r !an
!a 1!ic! ($inius S"cundus s+"a7"! of, 1!ic! is
o *" $i*"ra$ of +rais" and co''"ndaion o o!"rs,
in !a, 1!"r"in a 'an-s s"$f !a! an# +"rf"cion.
For sai! ($in#, &"r# 1ii$#, In co''"ndin%
ano!"r, #ou do #ours"$f ri%!6 for !" !a #ou
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 110/124
co''"nd, is "i!"r su+"rior o #ou in !a #ou
co''"nd, or inf"rior. If !" *" inf"rior, if !" *" o
*" co''"nd"d, #ou 'uc! 'or"6 if !" *" su+"rior,
if !" *" no o *" co''"nd"d, #ou 'uc! $"ss.
)$orious '"n ar" !" scorn of 1is" '"n, !" ad2
'iraion of foo$s, !" ido$s of +arasi"s, and !"
s$a&"s of !"ir o1n &auns.
Of Honor
AND RE(UTATION
THE 1innin% of !onor, is *u !" r"&"a$in% of
a 'an,s &iru" and 1or!, 1i!ou disad&an2
a%". For so'" in !"ir acions, do 1oo and "ff"c!onor and r"+uaion, 1!ic! sor of '"n, ar"
co''on$# 'uc! a$7"d of, *u in1ard$# $i$"
ad'ir"d. And so'", conrari1is", dar7"n !"ir
&iru" in !" s!o1 of i6 so as !"# *" und"r&a$u"d
in o+inion. If a 'an +"rfor' !a, 1!ic! !a! no
*""n a"'+"d *"for"6 or a"'+"d and %i&"n
o&"r6 or !a! *""n ac!i"&"d, *u no 1i! so %ood
circu'sanc"6 !" s!a$$ +urc!as" 'or" !onor, !an
*# "ff"cin% a 'a"r of %r"a"r difficu$# or &iru",
1!"r"in !" is *u a fo$$o1"r. If a 'an so "'+"r
!is acions, as in so'" on" of !"' !" do! con"n
"&"r# facion, or co'*inaion of +"o+$", !" 'usic
1i$$ *" !" fu$$"r. A 'an is an i$$ !us*and of *is
!onor, !a "n"r"! ino an# acion, !" fai$in%
1!"r"in 'a# dis%rac" !i', 'or" !an !" carr#2
in% of i !rou%!, can !onor !i'. Honor !a is
%ain"d and *ro7"n u+on ano!"r, !a! !" 0uic72
"s r"f$"cion, $i7" dia'onds cu 1i! fac"s. And
!"r"for", $" a 'an con"nd o "c"$ an# co'+"i2
ors of !is in !onor, in ous!ooin% !"', if !" can,
in !"ir o1n *o1. Discr"" fo$$o1"rs and s"r&ans,
!"$+ 'uc! o r"+uaion. O'nis fa'a a do'"sicis
"'ana. En&#, 1!ic! is !" can7"r of !onor, is
*"s "in%uis!"d *# d"c$arin% a 'an-s s"$f in
!is "nds, ra!"r o s""7 '"ri !an fa'"6 and *#
ari*uin% a 'an-s succ"ss"s, ra!"r o di&in"
(ro&id"nc" and f"$ici#, !an o !is o1n &iru" or+o$ic#.
T!" ru" 'ars!a$$in% of !" d"%r""s of so&"r"i%n
!onor, ar" !"s"5 In !" firs +$ac" ar" condior"s
i'+"rioru', found"rs of sa"s and co''on2
1"a$!s6 suc! as 1"r" Ro'u$us, C#rus, Ca"sar,
Oo'an, Is'a"$. In !" s"cond +$ac" ar" $"%is2
$aor"s, $a1%i&"rs6 1!ic! ar" a$so ca$$"d s"cond
found"rs, or +"r+"ui +rinci+"s, *"caus" !"# %o&2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 111/124
"rn *# !"ir ordinanc"s af"r !"# ar" %on"6 suc!
1"r" L#cur%us, So$on, 3usinian, Ead%ar, A$+!on2
sus of Casi$", !" is", !a 'ad" !" Si"" (ari2
das. In !" !ird +$ac" ar" $i*"raor"s, or sa$&aor"s,
suc! as co'+ound !" $on% 'is"ri"s of ci&i$
1ars, or d"$i&"r !"ir counri"s fro' s"r&iud" of
sran%"rs or #rans6 as Au%usus Ca"sar, V"s+asi2
anus, Aur"$ianus, T!"odoricus, /in% H"nr# !"
S"&"n! of En%$and, /in% H"nr# !" Four! of
Franc". In !" four! +$ac" ar" +ro+a%aor"s or
+ro+u%naor"s i'+"rii6 suc! as in !onora*$" 1ars
"n$ar%" !"ir "rriori"s, or 'a7" no*$" d"f"nc"
a%ains in&ad"rs. And in !" $as +$ac" ar" +ar"s
+aria"6 1!ic! r"i%n ;us$#, and 'a7" !" i'"s
%ood 1!"r"in !"# $i&". Bo! 1!ic! $as 7inds n""d
no "a'+$"s, !"# ar" in suc! nu'*"r. D"%r""s of
!onor, in su*;"cs, ar", firs +arici+"s curaru',
!os" u+on 1!o', +rinc"s do disc!ar%" !" %r"a2
"s 1"i%! of !"ir affairs6 !"ir ri%! !ands, as
1" ca$$ !"'. T!" n" ar" duc"s *"$$i, %r"a $"ad"rs
in 1ar6 suc! as ar" +rinc"s- $i"u"nans, and do!"' noa*$" s"r&ic"s in !" 1ars. T!" !ird ar"
%raiosi, fa&ori"s6 suc! as "c""d no !is scan2
$in%, o *" so$ac" o !" so&"r"i%n, and !ar'$"ss o
!" +"o+$". And !" four!, n"%oiis +ar"s6 suc! as
!a&" %r"a +$ac"s und"r +rinc"s, and ""cu" !"ir
+$ac"s, 1i! suffici"nc#. T!"r" is an !onor, $i7"2
1is", 1!ic! 'a# *" ran7"d a'on%s !" %r"a"s,
1!ic! !a++"n"! rar"$#6 !a is, of suc! as sacri2
fic" !"'s"$&"s o d"a! or dan%"r for !" %ood of
!"ir counr#6 as 1as M. R"%u$us, and !" 1o
D"cii.
Of 3udicaur"
3UD)ES ou%! o r"'"'*"r, !a !"ir offic" is
;us dic"r", and no ;us dar"6 o in"r+r" $a1,
and no o 'a7" $a1, or %i&" $a1. E$s" 1i$$ i *"
$i7" !" au!ori#, c$ai'"d *# !" C!urc! of Ro'",
1!ic! und"r +r"" of "+osiion of Scri+ur",
do! no sic7 o add and a$"r6 and o +ronounc"
!a 1!ic! !"# do no find6 and *# s!o1 of an2
i0ui#, o inroduc" no&"$#. 3ud%"s ou%! o *"
'or" $"arn"d, !an 1i#, 'or" r"&"r"nd, !an
+$ausi*$",and 'or" ad&is"d, !an confid"n. A*o&"a$$ !in%s, in"%ri# is !"ir +orion and +ro+"r
&iru". Curs"d 8sai! !" $a19 is !" !a r"'o&"!
!" $and'ar7. T!" 'is$a#"r of a '"r"2son" is o
*$a'". Bu i is !" un;us ;ud%", !a is !" ca+ia$
r"'o&"r of $and'ar7s, 1!"n !" d"fin"! a'iss, of
$ands and +ro+"r#. On" fou$ s"n"nc" do! 'or"
!ur, !an 'an# fou$ "a'+$"s. For !"s" do *u
corru+ !" sr"a', !" o!"r corru+"! !" foun2
ain. So 1i! So$o'on, Fons ur*aus, " &"na
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 112/124
corru+a, "s ;usus cad"ns in causa sua cora'
ad&"rsario. T!" offic" of ;ud%"s 'a# !a&" r"f"r"nc"
uno !" +ari"s !a us", uno !" ad&oca"s !a
+$"ad, uno !" c$"r7s and 'inis"rs of ;usic"
und"rn"a! !"', and o !" so&"r"i%n or sa"
a*o&" !"'.
Firs, for !" caus"s or +ari"s !a su". T!"r" *"
8sai! !" Scri+ur"9 !a urn ;ud%'"n, ino
1or'1ood6 and sur"$# !"r" *" a$so, !a urn i
ino &in"%ar6 for in;usic" 'a7"! i *i"r, and
d"$a#s 'a7" i sour. T!" +rinci+a$ du# of a ;ud%",
is o su++r"ss forc" and fraud6 1!"r"of forc" is !"
'or" +"rnicious, 1!"n i is o+"n, and fraud, 1!"n
i is c$os" and dis%uis"d. Add !"r"o con"nious
suis, 1!ic! ou%! o *" s+"1"d ou, as !" surf"i
of cours. A ;ud%" ou%! o +r"+ar" !is 1a# o a
;us s"n"nc", as )od us"! o +r"+ar" !is 1a#, *#
raisin% &a$$"#s and a7in% do1n !i$$s5 so 1!"n
!"r" a++"ar"! on "i!"r sid" an !i%! !and, &io2
$"n +ros"cuion, cunnin% ad&ana%"s a7"n, co'2*inaion, +o1"r, %r"a couns"$, !"n is !" &iru"
of a ;ud%" s""n, o 'a7" in"0ua$i# "0ua$6 !a !"
'a# +$an !is ;ud%'"n as u+on an "&"n %round.
>ui fori"r "'un%i, "$ici san%uin"'6 and 1!"r"
!" 1in"2+r"ss is !ard 1rou%!, i #i"$ds a !ars!
1in", !a as"s of !" %ra+"2son". 3ud%"s 'us
*"1ar" of !ard consrucions, and srain"d inf"r2
"nc"s6 for !"r" is no 1ors" orur", !an !" or2
ur" of $a1s. S+"cia$$# in cas" of $a1s +"na$, !"#
ou%! o !a&" car", !a !a 1!ic! 1as '"an for
"rror, *" no urn"d ino ri%or6 and !a !"#
*rin% no u+on !" +"o+$", !a s!o1"r 1!"r"of
!" Scri+ur" s+"a7"!, ($u" su+"r "os $a0u"os6
for +"na$ $a1s +r"ss"d, ar" a s!o1"r of snar"s u+on
!" +"o+$". T!"r"for" $" +"na$ $a1s, if !"# !a&"
*""n s$""+"rs of $on%, or if !"# *" %ro1n unfi for
!" +r"s"n i'", *" *# 1is" ;ud%"s confin"d in !"
""cuion5 3udicis officiu' "s, u r"s, ia "'+ora
r"ru', "c. In caus"s of $if" and d"a!, ;ud%"s ou%!
8as far as !" $a1 +"r'i"!9 in ;usic" o r"'"'2
*"r '"rc#6 and o cas a s"&"r" "#" u+on !"
"a'+$", *u a '"rcifu$ "#" u+on !" +"rson.
S"cond$#, for !" ad&oca"s and couns"$ !a
+$"ad. (ai"nc" and %ra&i# of !"arin%, is an "ss"n2
ia$ +ar of ;usic"6 and an o&"rs+"a7in% ;ud%" is no
1"$$2un"d c#'*a$. I is no %rac" o a ;ud%", firso find !a, 1!ic! !" 'i%! !a&" !"ard in du"
i'" fro' !" *ar6 or o s!o1 0uic7n"ss of conc"i,
in cuin% off "&id"nc" or couns"$ oo s!or6 or o
+r"&"n infor'aion *# 0u"sions, !ou%! +"ri2
n"n. T!" +ars of a ;ud%" in !"arin%, ar" four5 o
dir"c !" "&id"nc"6 o 'od"ra" $"n%!, r"+"iion,
or i'+"rin"nc# of s+""c!6 o r"ca+iu$a", s"$"c,
and co$$a" !" 'a"ria$ +oins, of !a 1!ic! !a!
*""n said6 and o %i&" !" ru$" or s"n"nc". !a2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 113/124
so"&"r is a*o&" !"s" is oo 'uc!6 and +roc""d"!
"i!"r of %$or#, and 1i$$in%n"ss o s+"a7, or of i'2
+ai"nc" o !"ar, or of s!orn"ss of '"'or#, or of
1an of a said and "0ua$ a"nion. I is a sran%"
!in% o s"", !a !" *o$dn"ss of ad&oca"s s!ou$d
+r"&ai$ 1i! ;ud%"s6 1!"r"as !"# s!ou$d i'ia"
)od, in 1!os" s"a !"# si6 1!o r"+r"ss"! !" +r"2
su'+uous, and %i&"! %rac" o !" 'od"s. Bu i
is 'or" sran%", !a ;ud%"s s!ou$d !a&" no"d
fa&ori"s6 1!ic! canno *u caus" 'u$i+$icaion
of f""s, and sus+icion of *#21a#s. T!"r" is du" fro'
!" ;ud%" o !" ad&oca", so'" co''"ndaion
and %racin%, 1!"r" caus"s ar" 1"$$ !and$"d and
fair +$"ad"d6 "s+"cia$$# o1ards !" sid" 1!ic!
o*ain"! no6 for !a u+!o$ds in !" c$i"n, !"
r"+uaion of !is couns"$, and *"as do1n in !i'
!" conc"i of !is caus". T!"r" is $i7"1is" du" o !"
+u*$ic, a ci&i$ r"+r"!"nsion of ad&oca"s, 1!"r"
!"r" a++"ar"! cunnin% couns"$, %ross n"%$"c,
s$i%! infor'aion, indiscr"" +r"ssin%, or an o&"r2
*o$d d"f"nc". And $" no !" couns"$ a !" *ar,c!o+ 1i! !" ;ud%", nor 1ind !i's"$f ino !"
!and$in% of !" caus" an"1, af"r !" ;ud%" !a!
d"c$ar"d !is s"n"nc"6 *u, on !" o!"r sid", $"
no !" ;ud%" '"" !" caus" !a$f 1a#, nor %i&"
occasion o !" +ar#, o sa# !is couns"$ or +roofs
1"r" no !"ard.
T!ird$#, for !a !a conc"rns c$"r7s and 'inis2
"rs. T!" +$ac" of ;usic" is an !a$$o1"d +$ac"6 and
!"r"for" no on$# !" *"nc!, *u !" foo2+$ac"6
and +r"cincs and +ur+ris" !"r"of, ou%! o *"
+r"s"r&"d 1i!ou scanda$ and corru+ion. For
c"rain$# %ra+"s 8as !" Scri+ur" sai!9 1i$$ no
*" %a!"r"d of !orns or !is$"s6 "i!"r can ;usic"
#i"$d !"r frui 1i! s1""n"ss, a'on%s !" *riars
and *ra'*$"s of cac!in% and +o$$in% c$"r7s, and
'inis"rs. T!" a"ndanc" of cours, is su*;"c o
four *ad insru'"ns. Firs, c"rain +"rsons !a
ar" so1"rs of suis6 1!ic! 'a7" !" cour s1"$$,
and !" counr# +in". T!" s"cond sor is of !os",
!a "n%a%" cours in 0uarr"$s of ;urisdicion, and
ar" no ru$# a'ici curia", *u +arasii curia", in
+uffin% a cour u+ *"#ond !"r *ounds, for !"ir
o1n scra+s and ad&ana%". T!" !ird sor, is of
!os" !a 'a# *" accoun"d !" $"f !ands of
cours6 +"rsons !a ar" fu$$ of ni'*$" and sinis"r
ric7s and s!ifs, 1!"r"*# !"# +"r&"r !" +$ainand dir"c cours"s of cours, and *rin% ;usic" ino
o*$i0u" $in"s and $a*#rin!s. And !" four!, is !"
+o$$"r and "ac"r of f""s6 1!ic! ;usifi"s !" co'2
'on r"s"'*$anc" of !" cours of ;usic", o !"
*us! 1!"r"uno, 1!i$" !" s!""+ f$i"s for d"f"nc"
in 1"a!"r, !" is sur" o $os" +ar of !is f$""c". On
!" o!"r sid", an anci"n c$"r7, s7i$fu$ in +r"c"2
d"ns, 1ar# in +roc""din%, and und"rsandin% in
!" *usin"ss of !" cour, is an "c"$$"n fin%"r of
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 114/124
a cour6 and do! 'an# i'"s +oin !" 1a# o !"
;ud%" !i's"$f.
Four!$#, for !a 1!ic! 'a# conc"rn !" so&2
"r"i%n and "sa". 3ud%"s ou%! a*o&" a$$ o r"2
'"'*"r !" conc$usion of !" Ro'an T1"$&"
Ta*$"s6 Sa$us +o+u$i su+r"'a $"6 and o 7no1
!a $a1s, "c"+ !"# *" in ord"r o !a "nd, ar"
*u !in%s ca+ious, and orac$"s no 1"$$ ins+ir"d.
T!"r"for" i is an !a++# !in% in a sa", 1!"n
7in%s and sa"s do of"n consu$ 1i! ;ud%"s6 and
a%ain, 1!"n ;ud%"s do of"n consu$ 1i! !" 7in%
and sa"5 !" on", 1!"n !"r" is 'a"r of $a1,
in"r&"ni"n in *usin"ss of sa"6 !" o!"r, 1!"n
!"r" is so'" consid"raion of sa", in"r&"ni"n
in 'a"r of $a1. For 'an# i'"s !" !in%s d"2
duc"d o ;ud%'"n 'a# *" '"u' and uu', 1!"n
!" r"ason and cons"0u"nc" !"r"of 'a# r"nc! o
+oin of "sa"5 I ca$$ 'a"r of "sa", no on$# !"
+ars of so&"r"i%n#, *u 1!aso"&"r inroduc"!
an# %r"a a$"raion, or dan%"rous +r"c"d"n6 orconc"rn"! 'anif"s$# an# %r"a +orion of +"o2
+$". And $" no 'an 1"a7$# conc"i&", !a ;us
$a1s and ru" +o$ic# !a&" an# ani+a!#6 for !"#
ar" $i7" !" s+iris and sin"1s, !a on" 'o&"s 1i!
!" o!"r. L" ;ud%"s a$so r"'"'*"r, !a So$o2
'on-s !ron" 1as su++or"d *# $ions on *o! sid"s5
$" !"' *" $ions, *u #" $ions und"r !" !ron"6
*"in% circu's+"c !a !"# do no c!"c7 or o++os"
an# +oins of so&"r"i%n#. L" no ;ud%"s a$so *"
i%noran of !"ir o1n ri%!, as o !in7 !"r" is no
$"f o !"', as a +rinci+a$ +ar of !"ir offic", a
1is" us" and a++$icaion of $a1s. For !"# 'a#
r"'"'*"r, 1!a !" a+os$" sai! of a %r"a"r $a1
!an !"irs6 Nos sci'us 0uia $" *ona "s, 'odo
0uis "a uaur $"%ii'".
Of An%"r
TO SEE/ o "in%uis! an%"r u"r$#, is *u a
*ra&"r# of !" Soics. " !a&" *""r orac$"s5
B" an%r#, *u sin no. L" no !" sun %o do1n
u+on #our an%"r. An%"r 'us *" $i'i"d and con2fin"d, *o! in rac" and in i'". " 1i$$ firs s+"a7
!o1 !" naura$ inc$inaion and !a*i o *" an%r#,
'a# *" a"'+"d and ca$'"d. S"cond$#, !o1 !"
+aricu$ar 'oions of an%"r 'a# *" r"+r"ss"d, or
a $"as r"frain"d fro' doin% 'isc!i"f. T!ird$#,
!o1 o rais" an%"r, or a++"as" an%"r in ano!"r.
For !" firs6 !"r" is no o!"r 1a# *u o '"di2
a", and ru'ina" 1"$$ u+on !" "ff"cs of an%"r,
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 115/124
!o1 i rou*$"s 'an-s $if". And !" *"s i'" o do
!is, is o $oo7 *ac7 u+on an%"r, 1!"n !" fi is
!orou%!$# o&"r. S"n"ca sai! 1"$$, T!a an%"r is
$i7" ruin, 1!ic! *r"a7s is"$f u+on !a i fa$$s.
T!" Scri+ur" "!or"! us o +oss"ss our sou$s in
+ai"nc". !oso"&"r is ou of +ai"nc", is ou of
+oss"ssion of !is sou$. M"n 'us no urn *""s6
... ani'as0u" in &u$n"r" +onun.
An%"r is c"rain$# a 7ind of *as"n"ss6 as i a+2
+"ars 1"$$ in !" 1"a7n"ss of !os" su*;"cs in
1!o' i r"i%ns6 c!i$dr"n, 1o'"n, o$d fo$7s, sic7
fo$7s. On$# '"n 'us *"1ar", !a !"# carr#
!"ir an%"r ra!"r 1i! scorn, !an 1i! f"ar6 so
!a !"# 'a# s""' ra!"r o *" a*o&" !" in;ur#,
!an *"$o1 i6 1!ic! is a !in% "asi$# don", if a
'an 1i$$ %i&" $a1 o !i's"$f in i.
For !" s"cond +oin6 !" caus"s and 'oi&"s of
an%"r, ar" c!i"f$# !r"". Firs, o *" oo s"nsi*$" of
!ur6 for no 'an is an%r#, !a f""$s no !i's"$f
!ur6 and !"r"for" "nd"r and d"$ica" +"rsons
'us n""ds *" of an%r#6 !"# !a&" so 'an# !in%s
o rou*$" !"', 1!ic! 'or" ro*us naur"s !a&"
$i$" s"ns" of. T!" n" is, !" a++r"!"nsion and
consrucion of !" in;ur# off"r"d, o *", in !" cir2
cu'sanc"s !"r"of, fu$$ of con"'+5 for con"'+
is !a, 1!ic! +u"! an "d%" u+on an%"r, as 'uc!
or 'or" !an !" !ur is"$f. And !"r"for", 1!"n
'"n ar" in%"nious in +ic7in% ou circu'sanc"s of
con"'+, !"# do 7ind$" !"ir an%"r 'uc!. Las$#,
o+inion of !" ouc! of a 'an-s r"+uaion, do!
'u$i+$# and s!ar+"n an%"r. !"r"in !" r"'"d#
is, !a a 'an s!ou$d !a&", as Consa$&o 1as 1on
o sa#, "$a' !onoris crassior"'. Bu in a$$ r"frain2
in%s of an%"r, i is !" *"s r"'"d# o 1in i'"6
and o 'a7" a 'an-s s"$f *"$i"&", !a !" o++or2
uni# of !is r"&"n%" is no #" co'", *u !a !"
for"s""s a i'" for i6 and so o si$$ !i's"$f in !"
'"ani'", and r"s"r&" i.
To conain an%"r fro' 'isc!i"f, !ou%! i a7"
!o$d of a 'an, !"r" *" 1o !in%s, 1!"r"of #ou
'us !a&" s+"cia$ cauion. T!" on", of "r"'" *i2"rn"ss of 1ords, "s+"cia$$# if !"# *" acu$"a" and
+ro+"r6 for cu''unia 'a$"dica ar" no!in% so
'uc!6 and a%ain, !a in an%"r a 'an r"&"a$ no
s"cr"s6 for !a, 'a7"s !i' no fi for soci"#. T!"
o!"r, !a #ou do no +"r"'+ori$# *r"a7 off, in
an# *usin"ss, in a fi of an%"r6 *u !o1so"&"r #ou
s!o1 *i"rn"ss, do no ac an#!in%, !a is no
r"&oca*$".
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 116/124
For raisin% and a++"asin% an%"r in ano!"r6 i
is don" c!i"f$# *# c!oosin% of i'"s, 1!"n '"n
ar" fro1ard"s and 1ors dis+os"d, o inc"ns"
!"'. A%ain, *# %a!"rin% 8as 1as ouc!"d *"for"9
a$$ !a #ou can find ou, o a%%ra&a" !" con2
"'+. And !" 1o r"'"di"s ar" *# !" conrari"s.
T!" for'"r o a7" %ood i'"s, 1!"n firs o r"$a"
o a 'an an an%r# *usin"ss6 for !" firs i'+r"s2
sion is 'uc!6 and !" o!"r is, o s"&"r, as 'uc! as
'a# *", !" consrucion of !" in;ur# fro' !"
+oin of con"'+6 i'+uin% i o 'isund"rsand2
in%, f"ar, +assion, or 1!a #ou 1i$$.
Of Vicissiud"
OF THIN)S
SOLOMON sai!, T!"r" is no n"1 !in% u+on
!" "ar!. So !a as ($ao !ad an i'a%inaion,
T!a a$$ 7no1$"d%" 1as *u r"'"'*ranc"6 so
So$o'on %i&"! !is s"n"nc", T!a a$$ no&"$# is
*u o*$i&ion. !"r"*# #ou 'a# s"", !a !" ri&"r
of L"!" runn"! as 1"$$ a*o&" %round as *"$o1.
T!"r" is an a*srus" asro$o%"r !a sai!, If i 1"r"
no for 1o !in%s !a ar" consan 8!" on" is,
!a !" fi"d sars "&"r sand a $i7" disanc" on"
fro' ano!"r, and n"&"r co'" n"ar"r o%"!"r, nor
%o fur!"r asund"r6 !" o!"r, !a !" diurna$
'oion +"r+"ua$$# 7""+"! i'"9, no indi&idua$
1ou$d $as on" 'o'"n. C"rain i is, !a !" 'a2
"r is in a +"r+"ua$ f$u, and n"&"r a a sa#. T!"
%r"a 1indin%2s!""s, !a *ur# a$$ !in%s in o*2
$i&ion, ar" 1o6 d"$u%"s and "ar!0ua7"s. As for
conf$a%raions and %r"a drou%!s, !"# do no
'"r"$# dis+"o+$" and d"sro#. (!a"on-s car 1"n
*u a da#. And !" !r"" #"ars- drou%! in !" i'"
of E$ias, 1as *u +aricu$ar, and $"f +"o+$" a$i&".
As for !" %r"a *urnin%s *# $i%!nin%s, 1!ic! ar"
of"n in !" "s Indi"s, !"# ar" *u narro1. Bu
in !" o!"r 1o d"srucions, *# d"$u%" and "ar!2
0ua7", i is fur!"r o *" no"d, !a !" r"'nan
of +"o+$" 1!ic! !a+ o *" r"s"r&"d, ar" co''on$#
i%noran and 'ounainous +"o+$", !a can %i&"
no accoun of !" i'" +as6 so !a !" o*$i&ion isa$$ on", as if non" !ad *""n $"f. If #ou consid"r
1"$$ of !" +"o+$" of !" "s Indi"s, i is &"r#
+ro*a*$" !a !"# ar" a n"1"r or a #oun%"r +"o2
+$", !an !" +"o+$" of !" O$d or$d. And i is
'uc! 'or" $i7"$#, !a !" d"srucion !a !a!
!"r"ofor" *""n !"r", 1as no *# "ar!0ua7"s 8as
!" E%#+ian +ri"s o$d So$on conc"rnin% !"
is$and of A$anis, !a i 1as s1a$$o1"d *# an
"ar!0ua7"9, *u ra!"r !a i 1as d"so$a"d *# a
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 117/124
+aricu$ar d"$u%". For "ar!0ua7"s ar" s"$do' in
!os" +ars. Bu on !" o!"r sid", !"# !a&" suc!
+ourin% ri&"rs, as !" ri&"rs of Asia and Afric7 and
Euro+", ar" *u *roo7s o !"'. T!"ir And"s, $i7"2
1is", or 'ounains, ar" far !i%!"r !an !os" 1i!
us6 1!"r"*# i s""'s, !a !" r"'nans of %"n2
"raion of '"n, 1"r" in suc! a +aricu$ar d"$u%"
sa&"d. As for !" o*s"r&aion !a Mac!ia&"$ !a!,
!a !" ;"a$ous# of s"cs, do! 'uc! "in%uis!
!" '"'or# of !in%s6 raducin% )r"%or# !"
)r"a, !a !" did 1!a in !i' $a#, o "in%uis!
a$$ !"a!"n ani0uii"s6 I do no find !a !os"
<"a$s do an# %r"a "ff"cs, nor $as $on%6 as i a+2
+"ar"d in !" succ"ssion of Sa*inian, 1!o did
r"&i&" !" for'"r ani0uii"s.
T!" &icissiud" of 'uaions in !" su+"rior
%$o*", ar" no fi 'a"r for !is +r"s"n ar%u'"n.
I 'a# *", ($ao-s %r"a #"ar, if !" 1or$d s!ou$d
$as so $on%, 1ou$d !a&" so'" "ff"c6 no in r"n"12
in% !" sa" of $i7" indi&idua$s 8for !a is !" fu'"of !os", !a conc"i&" !" c"$"sia$ *odi"s !a&"
'or" accura" inf$u"nc"s u+on !"s" !in%s *"$o1,
!an ind""d !"# !a&"9, *u in %ross. Co'"s, ou
of 0u"sion, !a&" $i7"1is" +o1"r and "ff"c, o&"r
!" %ross and 'ass of !in%s6 *u !"# ar" ra!"r
%a<"d u+on, and 1ai"d u+on in !"ir ;ourn"#,
!an 1is"$# o*s"r&"d in !"ir "ff"cs6 s+"cia$$# in,
!"ir r"s+"ci&" "ff"cs6 !a is, 1!a 7ind of co'",
for 'a%niud", co$or, &"rsion of !" *"a's, +$ac2
in% in !" r"i%n of !"a&"n, or $asin%, +roduc"!
1!a 7ind of "ff"cs.
T!"r" is a o# 1!ic! I !a&" !"ard, and I 1ou$d
no !a&" i %i&"n o&"r, *u 1ai"d u+on a $i$".
T!"# sa# i is o*s"r&"d in !" Lo1 Counri"s 8I
7no1 no in 1!a +ar9 !a "&"r# fi&" and !ir#
#"ars, !" sa'" 7ind and sui of #"ars and 1"a!2
"rs co'" a*ou a%ain6 as %r"a fross, %r"a 1",
%r"a drou%!s, 1ar' 1in"rs, su''"rs 1i! $i$"
!"a, and !" $i7"6 and !"# ca$$ i !" (ri'". I is
a !in% I do !" ra!"r '"nion, *"caus", co'+u2
in% *ac71ards, I !a&" found so'" concurr"nc".
Bu o $"a&" !"s" +oins of naur", and o co'"
o '"n. T!" %r"a"s &icissiud" of !in%s a'on%s
'"n, is !" &icissiud" of s"cs and r"$i%ions. For
!os" or*s ru$" in '"n-s 'inds 'os. T!" ru" r"2$i%ion is *ui$ u+on !" roc76 !" r"s ar" oss"d,
u+on !" 1a&"s of i'". To s+"a7, !"r"for", of !"
caus"s of n"1 s"cs6 and o %i&" so'" couns"$ con2
c"rnin% !"', as far as !" 1"a7n"ss of !u'an
;ud%'"n can %i&" sa#, o so %r"a r"&o$uions.
!"n !" r"$i%ion for'"r$# r"c"i&"d, is r"n *#
discords6 and 1!"n !" !o$in"ss of !" +rof"ssors
of r"$i%ion, is d"ca#"d and fu$$ of scanda$6 and
1i!a$ !" i'"s *" su+id, i%noran, and *ar2
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 118/124
*arous6 #ou 'a# dou* !" s+rin%in% u+ of a n"1
s"c6 if !"n a$so, !"r" s!ou$d aris" an# "ra&a2
%an and sran%" s+iri, o 'a7" !i's"$f au!or
!"r"of. A$$ 1!ic! +oins !"$d, 1!"n Ma!o'"
+u*$is!"d !is $a1. If a n"1 s"c !a&" no 1o +ro+2
"ri"s, f"ar i no6 for i 1i$$ no s+r"ad. T!" on" is
!" su++$anin%, or !" o++osin%, of au!ori# "s2
a*$is!"d6 for no!in% is 'or" +o+u$ar !an !a.
T!" o!"r is !" %i&in% $ic"ns" o +$"asur"s, and a
&o$u+uous $if". For as for s+"cu$ai&" !"r"si"s
8suc! as 1"r" in anci"n i'"s !" Arians, and no1
!" Ar'"nians9, !ou%! !"# 1or7 'i%!i$# u+on
'"n-s 1is, #" !"# do no +roduc" an# %r"a a$2
"raions in sa"s6 "c"+ i *" *# !" !"$+ of ci&i$
occasions. T!"r" *" !r"" 'ann"r of +$anaions of
n"1 s"cs. B# !" +o1"r of si%ns and 'irac$"s6 *#
!" "$o0u"nc", and 1isdo', of s+""c! and +"rsua2
sion6 and *# !" s1ord. For 'ar#rdo's, I r"c7on
!"' a'on%s 'irac$"s6 *"caus" !"# s""' o "2
c""d !" sr"n%! of !u'an naur"5 and I 'a# do
!" $i7", of su+"r$ai&" and ad'ira*$" !o$in"ss of$if". Sur"$# !"r" is no *""r 1a#, o so+ !" risin%
of n"1 s"cs and sc!is's, !an o r"for' a*us"s6 o
co'+ound !" s'a$$"r diff"r"nc"s6 o +roc""d
'i$d$#, and no 1i! san%uinar# +"rs"cuions6
and ra!"r o a7" off !" +rinci+a$ au!ors *# 1in2
nin% and ad&ancin% !"', !an o "nra%" !"'
*# &io$"nc" and *i"rn"ss.
T!" c!an%"s and &icissiud" in 1ars ar" 'an#6
*u c!i"f$# in !r"" !in%s6 in !" s"as or sa%"s of
!" 1ar6 in !" 1"a+ons6 and in !" 'ann"r of !"
conduc. ars, in anci"n i'", s""'"d 'or" o
'o&" fro' "as o 1"s6 for !" ("rsians, Ass#rians,
Ara*ians, Tarars 81!ic! 1"r" !" in&ad"rs9 1"r"
a$$ "as"rn +"o+$". I is ru", !" )au$s 1"r" 1"s2
"rn6 *u 1" r"ad *u of 1o incursions of !"irs5
!" on" o )a$$o2)r"cia, !" o!"r o Ro'". Bu "as
and 1"s !a&" no c"rain +oins of !"a&"n6 and no
'or" !a&" !" 1ars, "i!"r fro' !" "as or 1"s,
an# c"rain# of o*s"r&aion. Bu nor! and sou!
ar" fi"d6 and i !a! s"$do' or n"&"r *""n s""n
!a !" far sou!"rn +"o+$" !a&" in&ad"d !"
nor!"rn, *u conrari1is". !"r"*# i is 'anif"s
!a !" nor!"rn rac of !" 1or$d, is in naur"
!" 'or" 'aria$ r"%ion5 *" i in r"s+"c of !" sars
of !a !"'is+!"r"6 or of !" %r"a conin"ns !a
ar" u+on !" nor!, 1!"r"as !" sou! +ar, forau%! !a is 7no1n, is a$'os a$$ s"a6 or 81!ic! is
'os a++ar"n9 of !" co$d of !" nor!"rn +ars,
1!ic! is !a 1!ic!, 1i!ou aid of disci+$in",
do! 'a7" !" *odi"s !ard"s, and !" coura%"s
1ar'"s.
U+on !" *r"a7in% and s!i&"rin% of a %r"a sa"
and "'+ir", #ou 'a# *" sur" o !a&" 1ars. For
%r"a "'+ir"s, 1!i$" !"# sand, do "n"r&a" and
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 119/124
d"sro# !" forc"s of !" nai&"s 1!ic! !"# !a&"
su*du"d, r"sin% u+on !"ir o1n +ro"cin% forc"s6
and !"n 1!"n !"# fai$ a$so, a$$ %o"s o ruin, and
!"# *"co'" a +r"#. So 1as i in !" d"ca# of !"
Ro'an "'+ir"6 and $i7"1is" in !" "'+ir" of
A$'ai%n", af"r C!ar$"s !" )r"a, "&"r# *ird a72
in% a f"a!"r6 and 1"r" no un$i7" o *"fa$$ o
S+ain, if i s!ou$d *r"a7. T!" %r"a acc"ssions and
unions of 7in%do's, do $i7"1is" sir u+ 1ars6 for
1!"n a sa" %ro1s o an o&"r2+o1"r, i is $i7" a
%r"a f$ood, !a 1i$$ *" sur" o o&"rf$o1. As i !a!
*""n s""n in !" sa"s of Ro'", Tur7"#, S+ain,
and o!"rs. Loo7 1!"n !" 1or$d !a! f"1"s *ar2
*arous +"o+$"s, *u suc! as co''on$# 1i$$ no
'arr# or %"n"ra", "c"+ !"# 7no1 '"ans o $i&"
8as i is a$'os "&"r#1!"r" a !is da#, "c"+ Tar2
ar#9, !"r" is no dan%"r of inundaions of +"o+$"6
*u 1!"n !"r" *" %r"a s!oa$s of +"o+$", 1!ic! %o
on o +o+u$a", 1i!ou for"s""in% '"ans of $if"
and sus"naion, i is of n"c"ssi# !a onc" in an
a%" or 1o, !"# disc!ar%" a +orion of !"ir +"o+$"u+on o!"r naions6 1!ic! !" anci"n nor!"rn
+"o+$" 1"r" 1on o do *# $o6 casin% $os 1!a
+ar s!ou$d sa# a !o'", and 1!a s!ou$d s""7
!"ir forun"s. !"n a 1ar$i7" sa" %ro1s sof and
"ff"'ina", !"# 'a# *" sur" of a 1ar. For co'2
'on$# suc! sa"s ar" %ro1n' ric! in !" i'" of
!"ir d"%"n"rain%6 and so !" +r"# in&i"!, and
!"ir d"ca# in &a$or, "ncoura%"! a 1ar.
As for !" 1"a+ons, i !ard$# fa$$"! und"r ru$"
and o*s"r&aion5 #" 1" s"" "&"n !"#, !a&" r"2
urns and &icissiud"s. For c"rain i is, !a ord2
nanc" 1as 7no1n in !" ci# of !" Oidra7"s in
India6 and 1as !a, 1!ic! !" Mac"donians
ca$$"d !und"r and $i%!nin%, and 'a%ic. And i
is 1"$$ 7no1n !a !" us" of ordnanc", !a! *""n
in C!ina a*o&" 1o !ousand #"ars. T!" condiions
of 1"a+ons, and !"ir i'+ro&"'"n, ar"6 Firs, !"
f"c!in% afar off6 for !a ouruns !" dan%"r6 as
i is s""n in ordnanc" and 'us7"s. S"cond$#, !"
sr"n%! of !" +"rcussion6 1!"r"in $i7"1is" ord2
nanc" do "c""d a$$ ari"aions and anci"n in&"n2
ions. T!" !ird is, !" co''odious us" of !"'6 as
!a !"# 'a# s"r&" in a$$ 1"a!"rs6 !a !" car2
ria%" 'a# *" $i%! and 'ana%"a*$"6 and !" $i7".
For !" conduc of !" 1ar5 a !" firs, '"nr"s"d "r"'"$# u+on nu'*"r5 !"# did +u !"
1ars $i7"1is" u+on 'ain forc" and &a$or6 +oinin%
da#s for +ic!"d fi"$ds, and so r#in% i ou u+on
an "&"n 'ac! and !"# 1"r" 'or" i%noran in
ran%in% and arra#in% !"ir *a$"s. Af"r, !"#
%r"1 o r"s u+on nu'*"r ra!"r co'+""n, !an
&as6 !"# %r"1 o ad&ana%"s of +$ac", cunnin%
di&"rsions, and !" $i7"5 and !"# %r"1 'or" s7i$2
fu$ in !" ord"rin% of !"ir *a$"s.
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 120/124
In !" #ou! of a sa", ar's do f$ouris!6 in !"
'idd$" a%" of a sa", $"arnin%6 and !"n *o! of
!"' o%"!"r for a i'"6 in !" d"c$inin% a%" of a
sa", '"c!anica$ ars and '"rc!andi<". L"arnin%
!a! !is infanc#, 1!"n i is *u *"%innin% and
a$'os c!i$dis!6 !"n !is #ou!, 1!"n i is $uuri2
an and ;u&"ni$"6 !"n !is sr"n%! of #"ars, 1!"n
i is so$id and r"duc"d6 and $as$#, !is o$d a%", 1!"n
i 1a"! dr# and "!aus. Bu i is no %ood o $oo7
oo $on% u+on !"s" urnin% 1!""$s of &icissiud",
$"s 1" *"co'" %idd#. As for !" +!i$o$o%# of
!"', !a is *u a circ$" of a$"s, and !"r"for" no
fi for !is 1riin%.
Of Fa'"
THE +o"s 'a7" Fa'" a 'ons"r. T!"# d"2
scri*" !"r in +ar fin"$# and "$"%an$#, and
in +ar %ra&"$# and s"n"nious$#. T!"# sa#, $oo7
!o1 'an# f"a!"rs s!" !a!, so 'an# "#"s s!"
!a! und"rn"a!6 so 'an# on%u"s6 so 'an#
&oic"s6 s!" +ric7s u+ so 'an# "ars.
T!is is a f$ouris!. T!"r" fo$$o1 "c"$$"n +ar2
a*$"s6 as !a, s!" %a!"r"! sr"n%! in %oin%6
!a s!" %o"! u+on !" %round, and #" !id"! !"r
!"ad in !" c$ouds6 !a in !" da#i'" s!" si"!
in a 1ac! o1"r, and f$i"! 'os *# ni%!6 !a
s!" 'in%$"! !in%s don", 1i! !in%s no don"6
and !a s!" is a "rror o %r"a cii"s. Bu !a
1!ic! +ass"! a$$ !" r"s is5 T!"# do r"coun !a
!" Ear!, 'o!"r of !" %ians !a 'ad" 1ar
a%ains 3u+i"r, and 1"r" *# !i' d"sro#"d, !"r"2
u+on in an an%"r *rou%! for! Fa'". For c"rain
i is, !a r"*"$s, fi%ur"d *# !" %ians, and s"diious
fa'"s and $i*"$s, ar" *u *ro!"rs and sis"rs, 'as2
cu$in" and f"'inin". Bu no1, if a 'an can a'"
!is 'ons"r, and *rin% !"r o f""d a !" !and,
and %o&"rn !"r, and 1i! !"r f$# o!"r ra&"nin%
fo1$ and 7i$$ !"', i is so'"1!a 1or!. Bu 1"
ar" inf"c"d 1i! !" s#$" of !" +o"s. To s+"a7
no1 in a sad and s"rious 'ann"r5 T!"r" is no, ina$$ !" +o$iics, a +$ac" $"ss !and$"d and 'or"
1or!# o *" !and$"d, !an !is of fa'". " 1i$$
!"r"for" s+"a7 of !"s" +oins5 !a ar" fa$s"
fa'"s6 and 1!a ar" ru" fa'"s6 and !o1 !"#
'a# *" *"s disc"rn"d6 !o1 fa'"s 'a# *" so1n,
and rais"d6 !o1 !"# 'a# *" s+r"ad, and 'u$i2
+$i"d6 and !o1 !"# 'a# *" c!"c7"d, and $aid
d"ad. And o!"r !in%s conc"rnin% !" naur" of
fa'". Fa'" is of !a forc", as !"r" is scarc"$# an#
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 121/124
%r"a acion, 1!"r"in i !a! no a %r"a +ar6 "s2
+"cia$$# in !" 1ar. Mucianus undid Vi"$$ius, *#
a fa'" !a !" sca"r"d, !a Vi"$$ius !ad in +ur2
+os" o r"'o&" !" $"%ions of S#ria ino )"r'an#,
and !" $"%ions of )"r'an# ino S#ria6 1!"r"2
u+on !" $"%ions of S#ria 1"r" infini"$# inf$a'"d.
3u$ius Ca"sar oo7 (o'+"# un+ro&id"d, and $aid
as$""+ !is indusr# and +r"+araions, *# a fa'"
!a !" cunnin%$# %a&" ou5 Ca"sar-s o1n so$di"rs
$o&"d !i' no, and *"in% 1"ari"d 1i! !" 1ars,
and $ad"n 1i! !" s+oi$s of )au$, 1ou$d forsa7"
!i', as soon as !" ca'" ino Ia$#. Li&ia s"$"d
a$$ !in%s for !" succ"ssion of !"r son Ti*"rius, *#
coninua$ %i&in% ou, !a !"r !us*and Au%usus
1as u+on r"co&"r# and a'"nd'"n, and i is an
usua$ !in% 1i! !" +as!as, o conc"a$ !" d"a!
of !" )r"a Tur7 fro' !" ;ani<ari"s and '"n of
1ar, o sa&" !" sac7in% of Consanino+$" and
o!"r o1ns, as !"ir 'ann"r is. T!"'isoc$"s 'ad"
4"r"s, 7in% of ("rsia, +os a+ac" ou of )r"cia, *#
%i&in% ou, !a !" )r"cians !ad a +ur+os" o*r"a7 !is *rid%" of s!i+s, 1!ic! !" !ad 'ad" a!2
1ar H"$$"s+on. T!"r" *" a !ousand suc! $i7"
"a'+$"s6 and !" 'or" !"# ar", !" $"ss !"#
n""d o *" r"+"a"d6 *"caus" a 'an '"""! 1i!
!"' "&"r#1!"r". T!"r"for" $" a$$ 1is" %o&"rnors
!a&" as %r"a a 1ac! and car" o&"r fa'"s, as !"#
!a&" of !" acions and d"si%ns !"'s"$&"s.
T!is "ssa# 1as no finis!"dG
A )$ossar#
OF ARCHAIC ORDS
AND (HRASES
A*rid%'"n5 'iniaur"
A*surd5 su+id, un+o$is!"d
A*us"5 c!"a, d"c"i&"
Acu$"a"5 sin%in%
Ada'an5 $oadson"
Adus5 scorc!"d
Ad&our"ss5 adu$"r"ssAff"c5 $i7", d"sir"
Anic5 c$o1n
A++os"5 0u"sion
Ari"aion5 *a"rin%2ra'
Audi5 r"&"nu"
A&oidanc"5 s"cr" ou$"
Ba$"5 *aa$ion
B"so15 s"$" in $if"
B$anc!5 f$a"r, "&ad"
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 122/124
Bra&"5 *oasfu$
Bra&"r#5 *oas, os"naion
Bro7"5 d"a$ in *ro7"ra%"
Bro7"n5 s!in" *# co'+arison
Bro7"n 'usic5 +ar 'usic
Ca*in"5 s"cr"
Ca$"ndar5 1"a!"r for"cas
Card5 c!ar, 'a+
Car" no o5 ar" r"c7$"ss
Cas5 +$an
Ca5 ca", ca7"
C!ar%" and ad&"nur"5 cos and
ris7
C!"c7 1i!5 in"rf"r"
C!o+5 *and# 1ords
Ci&i$5 +"ac"fu$
C$os"5 s"cr", s"cr"i&"
Co$$"c5 inf"r
Co'+ound5 co'+ro'is"
Cons"n5 a%r""'"n
Curious5 "$a*ora"Cuso'5 i'+or dui"s
D"c"i&"5 ro*
D"ri&"5 di&"r
Diffici$"n"ss5 'oros"n"ss
Disco&"r5 r"&"a$
Donai&"5 'on"# %if
Dou*5 f"ar
E0ui+o$$"n5 "0ua$$# +o1"rfu$
Es+ia$5 s+#
Esa"5 sa"
Faci$i#5 of "as# +"rsuasion
Fair5 ra!"r
Fa'"5 ru'or
Fa&or5 f"aur"
F$as!#5 insi+id
Foo2+ac"5 $o**#
For"s""n5 %uard"d a%ains
Fro1ard5 su**orn
Fui$"5 *a**$in%
)$o*"5 co'+$"" *od#
)$orious5 s!o1#, *oasfu$
Hu'orous5 ca+ricious
Hundr"d +o$$5 !undr"d! !"ad
I'+"rin"n5 irr"$"&an
I'+$ici5 "nan%$"d
In a '"an5 in 'od"raion
In s'o!"r5 su++r"ss"d
Indiff"r"n5 i'+aria$
In"nd5 a"nd o
/na+57no$$
L""s"5 $os"
L"5 !ind"r
Loos"5 s!o
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 123/124
Lo5 s+"$$
Lurc!5 in"rc"+
Ma7"5 +rofi, %"
Mana%"5 rain
Ma"5 con0u"r
Ma"ria$5 *usin"ss2$i7"
M"r"2son"5 *oundar# son"
Muniin%5 forif#in%
N"r&"5 sin"1
O*noious5 su*s"r&i"n, $ia*$"
O"s5 round s+an%$"s
(air5 i'+air
(ardon5 a$$o1anc"
(assa*$"5 '"diocr"
(in"2a++$"2r""5 +in"
($anaion5 co$on#
($afor'5 +$an
($ausi*$"5 +rais"1or!#
(oin d"&ic"5 "c"ssi&"$# +r"cis"
(o$iic5 +o$iician
(o$$5 "or(os"r5 "a'in"r
(racic"5 +$oin%
(r"occu+a"5 anici+a"
(r"s5 +r"+ar"d
(ric75 +$an
(ro+"r5 +"rsona$
(ros+"ci&"5 s"r"osco+"
(ro#n"5 +run"
(ur+ris"5 "nc$osur"
(us!5 +i'+$"
>uarr"$5 +r""
>u"c!5 f$inc!
R"ason5 +rinci+$"
R"ca'"ra5 r"irin%2roo'
R"urn5 r"acion
R"urn5 1in% runnin% *ac7
Ris"5 di%ni#
Round5 srai%!
Sa&"5 accoun for
Scan$in%5 '"asur"
S""$5 *$ind
S!r"1d5 'isc!i"&ous
Sor5 associa"
S+ia$5 s+#
Sadd$"5 sa+$in%
S"a$5 do s"cr"$#
Sir+5 fa'i$#Sond5 so+, sand
So&"d5 !o2!ous"d
S#$"5 i$"
Succ"ss5 ouco'"
Su'+uar# $a15 $a1 a%ains
"ra&a%anc"
Su+"rior %$o*"5 !" !"a&"ns
T"'+"r5 +ro+orion
T"nd"rin%5 nursin%
8/14/2019 Bacon, Francis - THE ESSAYS.doc
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bacon-francis-the-essaysdoc 124/124
Trac5 $in", rai
Tra&"$5 ra&ai$, $a*or
Tr"ai"s5 r"ais"s
Tr"nc! o5 ouc!
Tri&ia$5 co''on
Tur0u"5 Tur7is! d1arf
Und"r foo5 *"$o1 &a$u"
Unr"ad#5 unrain"d
Usur#5 in"r"s
Va$u"5 c"rif#
Viruous5 a*$"
Voar#5 &o1"d
anon5 s+oi$"d
ood5 'a<"
or75 'ana%", ui$i<"
End of T!" (ro;"c )u"n*"r% E" of Essa#s of Francis Bacon