"Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home."
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Quote collection
Francis Bacon quotes (page 22 of 33)
654 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"In mathematics I can report no deficiency, except it be that men do not sufficiently understand the excellent use of Pure Mathematics."
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"Dreams, and predictions of astrology....ought to serve but for winter talk by the fireside."
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"First the amendment of their own minds. For the removal of the impediments of the mind will sooner clear the passages of fortune than the obtaining fortune will remove the impediments of the mind."
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"Whence we see spiders, flies, or ants entombed and preserved forever in amber, a more than royal tomb."
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"But we may go further, and affirm most truly, that it is a mere and miserable solitude to want true friends; without which the world is but a wilderness."
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"The rising unto place is laborious, and by pains men come to greater pains; and it is sometimes base, and by indignities men come to dignities. The standing is slippery, and the regress is either a downfall, or at least an eclipse."
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"Neither the naked hand nor the understanding left to itself can effect much. It is by instruments and helps that the work is done, which are as much wanted for the understanding as for the hand. And as the instruments of the hand either give motion or guide it, so the instruments of the mind supply either suggestions for the understanding or cautions."
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"When any of the four pillars of government-religion, justice, counsel, and treasure-are mainly shaken or weakened, men had need to pray for fair weather."
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"Look to make your course regular, that men may know beforehand what they may expect."
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"One of the fathers saith . . . that old men go to death, and death comes to young men."
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"Images also help me find and realise ideas. I look at hundreds of very different, contrasting images and I pinch details from them, rather like people who eat from other people`s plates."
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"The human understanding when it has once adopted an opinion (either as being the received opinion or as being agreeable to itself) draws all things else to support and agree with it. And though there be a greater number and weight of instances to be found on the other side, yet these it either neglects and despises, or else by some distinction sets aside and rejects, in order that by this great and pernicious predetermination the authority of its former conclusions may remain inviolate."
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"States, as great engines, move slowly."
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"All superstition is much the same whether it be that of astrology, dreams, omen, retributive judgment, or the like, in all of which the deluded believers observe events which are fulfilled, but neglect and pass over their failure, though it be much more common."
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"A good conscience is a continual feast."
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"To seek to extinguish anger utterly is but a bravery of the Stoics. We have better oracles: 'Be angry, but sin not.' 'Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.'"
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"There is little friendship in the world, and least of all between equals."
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"Nakedness is uncomely, as well in mind as body, and it addeth no small reverence to men's manners and actions if they be not altogether open. Therefore set it down: That a habit of secrecy is both politic and moral."
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"Why should a man be in love with his fetters, though of gold?"
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