Francis Bacon

But men must know, that in this theatre of man’s life it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers on.

Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion.

Nuptial love makes mankind; friendly love perfects it; but wanton love corrupts and debases it.

Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; adversity not without many comforts and hopes.

Therefore if a man look sharply and attentively, he shall see Fortune; for though she be blind, yet she is not invisible.

People usually think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and ingrained opinions, but generally act according to custom.

Sir, a man may be so much of everything, that he is nothing of anything.

Any enlightenment which requires to be authenticated, certified, recognized, congratulated, is false, or at least incomplete.

All history is a record of the power of minorities, and of minorities of one.

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.

He that thinks he can afford to be negligent is not far from being poor.

Nothing destroys authority more than the unequal and untimely interchange of power stretched too far and relaxed too much.

Success must include two things: the development of an individual to his utmost potentiality and a contribution of some kind to one’s world.

Wisdom is better than silver and gold. I was hopeless, now I’m on hope road.

Nothing is more common than mutual dislike, where mutual approbation is particularly expected.

Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.

In America the geography is sublime, but the men are not; the inventions are excellent, but the inventors one is sometimes ashamed of.

I’m proof against that word failure. I’ve seen behind it. The only failure a man ought to fear is failure of cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best.

When you’re drowning, you don’t say ‘I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,’ you just scream.

It is a profitable Wisdom to know when we have done enough: Much time and Pains are spared, in not flattering our selves against Probabilities.

Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that can happen to a man.