Browsing Quotes By FRANCIS BACON
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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.
...And such is the way of all superstition, whether in astrology, dreams, omens, divine judgments, or the like; wherein men, having a delight in such vanities, mark the events where they are fulfilled, but where they fail, though this happen much oftener, neglect and pass them by. But with far more subtlety does this mischief insinuate itself into philosophy and the sciences; in which the first conclusion colors and brings into conformity with itself all that come after, though far sounder and better. Besides, independently of that delight and vanity which I have described, it is the peculiar and perpetual error of the human intellect to be more moved and excited by affirmatives than by negatives; whereas it ought properly to hold itself indifferently disposed toward both alike. Indeed, in the establishment of any true axiom, the negative instance is the more forcible of the two.Speaker: Francis BaconSource: Novum OrganumPosted: 11 Dec 2014 at 1:16 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study.
Speaker: FRANCIS BACONPosted: 24 May 2009 at 12:33 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in proportion.
Speaker: Francis BaconPosted: 18 Mar 2009 at 6:20 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
Speaker: Francis BaconPosted: 18 Mar 2009 at 6:19 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
Reading makes a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.
Speaker: Francis BaconPosted: 18 Mar 2009 at 6:19 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
Speaker: Francis BaconPosted: 28 Nov 2008 at 12:57 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Speaker: Francis BaconPosted: 21 Aug 2008 at 4:08 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
A man who is young in age may still be old and experienced, if he has lost no time.
Speaker: Francis BaconPosted: 21 Aug 2008 at 4:08 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
He that gives good advice builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.
Speaker: Francis BaconPosted: 21 Aug 2008 at 3:24 PMComments: None... Be the first to comment! -
A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion.
Speaker: Francis BaconPosted: 21 Aug 2008 at 8:18 AMComments: None... Be the first to comment!