Money is like muck, not good except it be spread.
– Francis Bacon
Money
To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.
– Francis Bacon
The Bible
A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion.
– Francis Bacon
Philosophy | Atheism
Atheism is rather in the lip than in the heart of Man.
– Francis Bacon
Atheism | The Heart
There is a difference between happiness and wisdom: he that thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool.
– Francis Bacon
Happiness | Wisdom | Foolishness
The remedy is worse than the disease.
– Francis Bacon
Health
Of all virtues and dignities of the mind, goodness is the greatest, being the character of the Deity; and without it, man is a busy, mischievous, wretched thing.
– Francis Bacon
Virtue
Studies perfect nature and are perfected still by experience.
– Francis Bacon
Books
When a man laughs at his troubles he loses a great many friends. They never forgive the loss of their prerogative.
– Francis Bacon
Friendship | Laughter
All the crimes on earth do not destroy so many of the human race, nor alienate so much property, as drunkenness.
– Francis Bacon
Drunkenness
There was never law, or sect, or opinion did so much magnify goodness, as the Christian religion doth.
– Francis Bacon
Christianity
Discretion of speech is more than eloquence, and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words, or in good order. God has placed no limits to the exercise of the intellect he has given us, on this side of the grave.
– Francis Bacon
Kindness | Discretion
There is as much difference between the counsel that a friend giveth, and that a man giveth himself, as there is between the counsel of a friend and of a flatterer. For there is no such flatterer as is a man’s self.
– Francis Bacon
Friendship
A man finds himself seven years older the day after his marriage.
– Francis Bacon
Marriage
I will never be an old man. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.
– Francis Bacon
Life | Age
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
– Francis Bacon
Books
A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.
– Francis Bacon
Suffering | Character | Revenge
Knowledge is power.
– Francis Bacon
Knowledge | Power
Seek ye first the good things of the mind, and the rest will either be supplied or its loss will not be felt.
– Francis Bacon
Achievement
In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.
– Francis Bacon
The Holy Spirit | Light
Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.
– Francis Bacon
Habits | Life
Our humanity were a poor thing but for the divinity that stirs within us.
– Francis Bacon
God
The worst solitude is to be destitute of sincere friendship.
– Francis Bacon
Friendship
He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.
– Francis Bacon
Examples | Truth
What is truth? said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer.
– Francis Bacon
Truth
The desire of excessive power caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge caused men to fall.
– Francis Bacon
Angels | Pride | Knowledge
A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.
– Francis Bacon
Wisdom