Francis Bacon

God has placed no limits to the exercise of the intellect he has given us, on this side of the grave.

Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.

A sudden bold and unexpected question does many times surprise a man and lay him open.

The mould of a man’s fortune is in his own hands.

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.

All of our actions take their hue from the complexion of the heart, as landscapes their variety from light.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

They that deny a God destroy man’s nobility; for certainly man is of kin to the beasts by his body; and, if he be not of kin to God by his spirit, he is a base and ignoble creature.

What is Man? Man is a noisome bacillus whom Our Heavenly Father created because he was disappointed in the monkey.

There is something in the human spirit that will survive and prevail, there is a tiny and brilliant light burning in the heart of man that will not go out no matter how dark the world becomes.

Kings in this should imitate God, their mercy should be above their works.

The history of persecution is a history of endeavors to cheat nature, to make water run up hill, to twist a rope of sand.

As the Spanish proverb says, He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies, must carry the wealth of the Indies with him. So it is in travelling; a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.

Write without pay until somebody offers to pay you. If nobody offers within three years, sawing wood is what you were intended for.

Fame must have enemies, as light must have gnats.

The eye is easily frightened.

Nothing is beneath you if it is in the direction of your life.

Gambling promises the poor what property performs for the rich, something for nothing.

His heart was as great as the world, but there was no room in it to hold the memory of a wrong.

Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.

That which builds is better than that which is built.