Observation and experiment for gathering material, induction and deduction for elaborating it: these are are only good intellectual tools. Francis Bacon More Quotes by Francis Bacon More Quotes From Francis Bacon Such philosophy as shall not vanish in the fume of subtile, sublime, or delectable speculation but shall be operative to the endowment and betterment of man's life. Francis Bacon philosophy life science The cord breaketh at last by the weakest pull. Francis Bacon cords weakness lasts The greatest vicissitude of things amongst men, is the vicissitude of sects and religions. Francis Bacon vicissitudes men religion The creative process is a cocktail of instinct, skill, culture and a highly creative feverishness. It is not like a drug; it is a particular state when everything happens very quickly, a mixture of consciousness and unconsciousness , of fear and pleasure; it's a little like making love, the physical act of love. Francis Bacon making-love skills creative Religion brought forth riches, and the daughter devoured the mother. Francis Bacon daughter mother religion 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. Francis Bacon reading writing men For it is most true that a natural and secret hatred and aversation towards society in any man, hath somewhat of the savage beast. Francis Bacon hatred secret men 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. Francis Bacon astrology events dream Nevertheless if any skillful Servant of Nature shall bring force to bear on matter, and shall vex it and drive it to extremities as if with the purpose of reducing it to nothing, then will matter (since annihilation or true destruction is not possible except by the omnipotence of God) finding itself in these straits, turn and transform itself into strange shapes, passing from one change to another till it has gone through the whole circle and finished the period. Francis Bacon omnipotence change science All painting is an accident. But it's also not an accident, because one must select what part of the accident one chooses to preserve. Francis Bacon accidents select painting All will come out in the washing. Francis Bacon washing cleanliness It's such an extraordinary supple medium that you never do quite know what paint will do. Francis Bacon extraordinary mediums paint I regret not starting to paint earlier...It is one of the few things I do regret. Francis Bacon starting paint regret Velazquez found the perfect balance between the ideal illustration which he was required to produce, and the overwhelming emotion he aroused in the spectator. Francis Bacon illustration balance perfect If you can talk about it, why paint it? Francis Bacon paint ifs There is no doubt but men of genius and leisure may carry our method to greater perfection, but, having had long experience, we have found none equal to it for the commodiousness it affords in working with the Understanding. Francis Bacon men science long The remedy is worse than the disease. Francis Bacon remedy disease latin Photographs are not only points of reference... they're often triggers of ideas. Francis Bacon triggers photograph ideas Painting is a duality and abstract painting is an entirely aesthetic thing. It always remains on one level. It is only really interesting in the beauty of its patterns or its shapes. Francis Bacon abstract-painting levels interesting The human understanding is unquiet; it cannot stop or rest, and still presses onward, but in vain. Therefore it is that we cannot conceive of any end or limit to the world, but always as of necessity it occurs to us that there is something beyond... But he is no less an unskilled and shallow philosopher who seeks causes of that which is most general, than he who in things subordinate and subaltern omits to do so Francis Bacon enquiry understanding science
