Francis Bacon

God almighty first planted a garden: and, indeed, it is the purest of human pleasure.

Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted… but to weigh and consider.

Many a man’s strength is in opposition, and when he faileth, he grows out of use.

Philosophy when superficially studied, excites doubt, when thoroughly explored, it dispels it.

It is in life as it is in ways, the shortest way is commonly the foulest, and surely the fairer way is not much about.

The subtlety of nature is greater many times over than the subtlety of the senses and understanding.

It’s much better to do good in a way that no one knows anything about it.

Wise men are not wise at all hours, and will speak five times from their taste or their humor, to once from their reason.

The soul of God is poured into the world through the thoughts of men.

Ice-cream is exquisite – what a pity it isn’t illegal.

The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.

The laws of each are convertible into the laws of any other.

What right have I to grieve, who have not ceased to wonder?

I cannot forgive a scholar his homeless despondency.

Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.

Patron: One who countenances, supports or protects. Commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery.

Security will produce danger.

No verse can give pleasure for long, nor last, that is written by drinkers of water.

Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real.

A friend is one who incessantly pays us the compliment of expecting from us all the virtues, and who can appreciate them in us. The friend asks no return but that his friend will religiously accept and wear and not disgrace his apotheosis of him. They cherish each other’s hopes. They are kind to each other’s dreams.

Talent alone cannot make a writer. There must be a man behind the book; a personality which, by birth and quality, is pledged to the doctrines there set forth, and which exists to see and state things so, and not otherwise.