The registering of doubts hath two excellent uses: the one, that it saveth philosophy from errors and falsehoods; when that which is not fully appearing is not collected into assertion, whereby error might draw error, but reserved in doubt: the other, that the entry of doubts are as so many

Francis Bacon

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Art is man added to Nature. by Francis Bacon

Art is man added to Nature.

Francis Bacon
naturemenart

Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

Francis Bacon
green-plantsgivingneeds

Judges ought to be more learned, than witty, more reverend, than plausible, and more advised, than confident. Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue.

Francis Bacon
judgingwittyintegrity

Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried, or childless men.

Francis Bacon
meritjudgingmen

Philosophers make imaginary laws for imaginary commonwealths, and their discourses are as the stars, which give little light because they are so high.

Francis Bacon
starslightphilosophy

I feel that I am much freer if I'm on my own, but I'm sure that there are a lot of painters who would perhaps be even more inventive if they had people round them... I find that if I am on my own I can allow the paint to dictate to me. So the images that I'm putting down on the canvas dictate the thing to me and it gradually builds up and comes along.

Francis Bacon
canvaspaintpeople

I would like my pictures to look as if a human being had passed between them, like a snail, leaving a trail of the human presence and memory trace of past events, as the snail leaves its slime.

Francis Bacon
slimeleavinglooks
Who then to frail mortality shall trust But limns the water, or b... by Francis Bacon

Who then to frail mortality shall trust But limns the water, or but writes in dust.

Francis Bacon
dustwritingwater

Therefore if a man look sharply and attentively, he shall see Fortune; for though she be blind, yet she is not invisible.

Francis Bacon
blindmenlooks
... wife and children are a kind of discipline of humanity. by Francis Bacon

... wife and children are a kind of discipline of humanity.

Francis Bacon
disciplinefamilychildren

Upon a given body to generate and superinduce a new nature or new natures is the work and aim of human power. To discover the Form of a given nature, or its true difference, or its causal nature, or fount of its emanation... this is the work and aim of human knowledge.

Francis Bacon
differencesbodyknowledge

It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion. For while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them, confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity.

Francis Bacon
mindmenphilosophy
I work for posterity, these things requiring ages for their accom... by Francis Bacon

I work for posterity, these things requiring ages for their accomplishment.

Francis Bacon
accomplishmentageknowledge

I don't think people are born artists; I think it comes from a mixture of your surroundings, the people you meet, and luck.

Francis Bacon
artistpeoplethinking

Riches are for spending, and spending for honor and good actions; therefore extraordinary expense must be limited by the worth of the occasion.

Francis Bacon
richeshonoraction
Studies perfect nature and are perfected still by experience. by Francis Bacon

Studies perfect nature and are perfected still by experience.

Francis Bacon
studynatureperfect

To conclude, therefore, let no man upon a weak conceit of sobriety or an ill-applied moderation think or maintain that a man can search too far, or be too well studied in the book of God's word, or the book of God's works, divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavor an endless progress or proficience in both; only let men beware that they apply both to charity, and not to swelling; to use, and not to ostentation; and again, that they do not unwisely mingle or confound these learnings together.

Francis Bacon
menphilosophybook

Lastly, I would address one general admonition to all: that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it not either for pleasure of the mind, or for contention, or for superiority to others, or for profit, or fame, or power, or any of these inferior things: but for the benefit and use of life; and that they perfect and govern it in charity.

Francis Bacon
perfectmindknowledge
Fortune makes him fool, whom she makes her darling. by Francis Bacon

Fortune makes him fool, whom she makes her darling.

Francis Bacon
darlingfoolfortune
Next to religion, let your care be to promote justice. by Francis Bacon

Next to religion, let your care be to promote justice.

Francis Bacon
nextcarejustice