It were better to have no opinion of God at all, than such an opinion, as is unworthy of him. For the one is unbelief, the other is contumely; and certainly superstition is the reproach of the Deity.
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Citations by Francis Bacon
The greatest vicissitude of things amongst men is the vicissitude of sects and religions.
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Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince's part to pardon.
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The sun, which passeth through pollutions and itself remains as pure as before.
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As we divided natural philosophy in general into the inquiry of causes, and productions of effects: so that part which concerneth the inquiry of causes we do subdivide according to the received and sound division of causes. The one part, which is physic, inquireth and handleth the material and efficient causes; and the other, which is metaphysic, handleth the formal and final causes.
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in Quotes & Aphorisms (Moods)
What then remains but that we still should cry
Not to be born, or, being born, to die?
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in Quotes & Aphorisms (Hope)
There is another ground of hope that must not be omitted. Let men but think over their infinite expenditure of understanding, time, and means on matters and pursuits of far less use and value; whereof, if but a small part were directed to sound and solid studies, there is no difficulty that might not be overcome.
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in Quotes & Aphorisms (Life)
If you would work any man, you must either know his nature and fashions, and so lead him; or his ends, and so persuade him or his weakness and disadvantages, and so awe him or those that have interest in him, and so govern him. In dealing with cunning persons, we must ever consider their ends, to interpret their speeches; and it is good to say little to them, and that which they least look for. In all negotiations of difficulty, a man may not look to sow and reap at once; but must prepare business, and so ripen it by degrees.
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Aristotle... a mere bond-servant to his logic, thereby rendering it contentious and well nigh useless.
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There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.
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