Francis Bacon

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

Riches are a good hand maiden, but a poor mistress.

Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.

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

Wise men make more opportunities than they find.

What is truth? said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer.

The happiest women, like the happiest nations, have no history.

To arrive at a just estimate of a renowned man’s character one must judge it by the standards of his time, not ours.

We aim above the mark to hit the mark.

In all evils which admits a remedy, impatience should be avoided, because it wastes the time and attention in complaints which, if properly applied, might remove the cause.

There is a wisdom in this beyond the rules of physic: a man’s own observation what he finds good of and what he finds hurt of is the best physic to preserve health.

I am not an optimist, but a great believer of hope.

Riches are for spending.

He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.

Life must be filled up, and the man who is not capable of intellectual pleasures must content himself with such as his senses can afford.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.

It always seems impossible until its done.

You have to choose between trusting to the natural stability of gold and the natural stability of the honesty and intelligence of the members of the Government. And, with due respect for these gentlemen, I advise you, as long as the Capitalist system lasts, to vote for gold.

The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.

The luster of diamonds is invigorated by the interposition of darker bodies; the lights of a picture are created by the shades; the highest pleasure which nature has indulged to sensitive perception is that of rest after fatigue.

The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.