Francis Bacon

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.

Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study.

It is impossible to love and to be wise.

Life, an age to the miserable, and a moment to the happy.

People of great position are servants times three, servants of their country, servants of fame, and servants of business.

Philosophers make imaginary laws for imaginary commonwealths, and their discourses are as the stars, which give little light because they are so high.

Sexes make no Difference; since in Souls there is none: And they are the Subjects of Friendship.

What, then, is the true Gospel of consistency? Change. Who is the really consistent man? The man who changes. Since change is the law of his being, he cannot be consistent if he stick in a rut.

Until we have seen someone’s darkness, we don’t really know who they are. Until we have forgiven someone’s darkness , we don’t really know what love is.

All the sweetness of religion is conveyed to the world by the hands of story-tellers and image-makers. Without their fictions the truths of religion would for the multitude be neither intelligible nor even apprehensible; and the prophets would prophesy and the teachers teach in vain.

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.

Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.

In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

Every man is rich or poor according to the proportion between his desires and his enjoyments.

I have always considered it as treason against the great republic of human nature, to make any man’s virtues the means of deceiving him.

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show…let me do it now.- William Penn

There can be no friendship where there is no freedom. Friendship loves a free air, and will not be fenced up in straight and narrow enclosures.

It is not length of life, but depth of life.

What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist takes only your skin.

Genius Borrows nobly.

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.