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Francis Bacon Quotes

80 Insightful Quotes By Francis Bacon, Father Of Empiricism

Famous As: Philosopher, Statesman and Lord High Chancellor of England

Born On: 1561

Died On: 1626

Born In: The Strand, London, England

Died At Age: 65

Francis Bacon was an English author, philosopher, statesman, public speaker, science pioneer and a jurist who lived between 1561 and 1626. He was one of the most influential Englishmen to have ever lived. Bacon was born in a distinguished family and after being home schooled, he attended the University of Cambridge, where he dazzled everyone including Queen Elizabeth I with his intellect. As a statesman, Bacon was without doubt one of the most influential men in the English establishment and held the positions of Attorney General as well as that of Lord Chancellor of England. On the other hand, he was also a superb orator and a philosopher who reveled in natural philosophy and philosophical logic. Bacon was a multi-faceted talent and is credited for establishing the method of empirical studies in the field of science. He propounded the two pronged approach which consisted of being skeptical and methodical. Bacon’s contributions in different fields earned him a Knighthood from King James I and he is still regarded as one of the giants in the history of Great Britain. The below collection of Francis Bacon’s most famous quotes have been excerpted from his famous writings, papers, speeches and thoughts. We bring to you a collection of sayings and quotes by Francis Bacon on wisdom, advice, opportunity, perseverance, humor, inspiration, materialism, friendship, wine, vision, superstition, observation, God, environment and understanding.

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Philosophers

Intellectuals & Academics

Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.

Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.
Books
Francis Bacon

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.
Will
Francis Bacon

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

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

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Will
Francis Bacon

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.
Francis Bacon

Wonder is the seed of knowledge
Francis Bacon

Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.

Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.
Believe
Francis Bacon

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand--and melting like a snowflake...

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand--and melting like a snowflake...
You Like Living
Francis Bacon

It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else, and still unknown to himself.

It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else, and still unknown to himself.
Francis Bacon

Reading maketh a full man; and writing an axact man. And, therefore, if a man write little, he need have a present wit; and if he read little, he need have much cunning to seem to know which he doth not.

Reading maketh a full man; and writing an axact man. And, therefore, if a man write little, he need have a present wit; and if he read little, he need have much cunning to seem to know which he doth not.
Need
Francis Bacon

Money is a great servant but a bad master.

Money is a great servant but a bad master.
Money
Francis Bacon

The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.

The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.
Francis Bacon

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.
Francis Bacon

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

Age appears best in four things: old wood to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust and old authors to read.
Friends
Francis Bacon

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

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

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

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

Ipsa scientia potestas est.

Knowledge itself is power.

Ipsa scientia potestas est. Knowledge itself is power.
Power
Francis Bacon

It is impossible to love and be wise.
Love
Francis Bacon

The general root of superstition : namely, that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss; and commit to memory the one, and forget and pass over the other.

The general root of superstition : namely, that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss; and commit to memory the one, and forget and pass over the other.
Francis Bacon

If we are to achieve things never before accomplished we must employ methods never before attempted

If we are to achieve things never before accomplished we must employ methods never before attempted
Never
Francis Bacon

Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends

Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends
Friends
Francis Bacon

The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it.

The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it.
Think
Francis Bacon

Philosophy when superficially studied, excites doubt, when thoroughly explored, it dispels it.

Philosophy when superficially studied, excites doubt, when thoroughly explored, it dispels it.
Francis Bacon

God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation.

God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation.
God Books
Francis Bacon