Francis Bacon

The French are wiser than they seem, and the Spaniards seem wiser than they are.

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.

None of the affections have been noted to fascinate and bewitch but envy.

A graceful and pleasing figure is a perpetual letter of recommendation.

It is a strange desire, to seek power and lose liberty, or to seek power over others and to lose power over a man’s self. The rising unto place is laborious, and by pains men come to greater pains, and it is sometimes base; and by indignities men come to dignities. The standing is slippery, and the regress is either a downfall or at least an eclipse, which is a melancholy thing.

Who questions much, shall learn much, and retain much.

Work is life, you know, and without it, there’s nothing but fear and insecurity.

The poets are only the interpreters of the Gods.

Fortune makes a fool of those she favors too much.

All conservatives are such from personal defects. They have been effeminated by position or nature, born halt and blind, through luxury of their parents, and can only, like invalids, act on the defensive.

Bondage is… subjection to external influences and internal negative thoughts and attitudes.

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined – to strengthen each other – to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.

The bluebird carries the sky on his back.

If he really thinks there is no distinction between vice and virtue, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.

To do something, say something, see something, before anybody else – these are things that confer a pleasure compared with which other pleasures are tame and commonplace, other ecstasies cheap and trivial.

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.

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

Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other.

O friend, never strike sail to a fear! Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas.

Cities force growth and make people talkative and entertaining, but they also make them artificial.

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.