Francis Bacon – On Newspapers Just as the offspring of living beings are poorly formed in the beginning, so are all newspapers, which are the product of their time. And yet, just as those who first bring glory to their family are usually more admirable than the majority of their descendants, so the first predecessor … Read more
Francis Bacon – On Youth and Age A person who is young in years can be old in hours if they have not wasted time, but this rarely happens. Generally, youth is like the first thoughts that are not as wise as those that come after. Because there is youth of thought just like there … Read more
Francis Bacon – On Human Nature Human nature is often concealed; sometimes mastered, rarely suppressed. Force only makes nature more vehement; instruction and conversation make it less intrusive; only habit changes and subdues nature. Let he who wishes to conquer his own nature not set himself too great or too small tasks; for the former … Read more
Francis Bacon – On Beauty Virtue is like a precious gemstone, most valuable in its simplicity, without adornments; indeed, virtue best suits a person of plain appearance, though not necessarily refined features, who possesses a dignified bearing rather than a beautiful exterior. It is not often observed that very beautiful individuals are endowed with great … Read more
Francis Bacon – On Truth “What is truth?” Pilate mockingly asked, not waiting for an answer. There is certainly some satisfaction in instability, as holding onto faith is considered a slavery that threatens freedom of will in both thought and action. Although there are no longer philosophical sects of that kind, there are still some … Read more
Francis Bacon – On the Preservation of Health There is wisdom in this beyond the rules of medicine: one’s own observation of what benefits us and what harms us is the best remedy for preserving health. However, a more reliable decision is: This does not suit me best, so I will leave it, rather than: … Read more
Francis Bacon – On Fools and Troubles The shepherds of the people ought to be aware of the calendar of state storms; they are usually the greatest when a state of equality arises, just as natural storms are greatest during the equinox. Just as a storm is announced by muffled gusts of wind and the … Read more
Francis Bacon – On Atheism I would sooner believe all the stories from Legends, and the Talmud, and the Quran, rather than that this Universe is without a mind. That is why God never created miracles to refute atheism, because his ordinary works refute it. It is true that a little philosophy inclines the human … Read more
Francis Bacon – On Ambition Ambition is like bile, which makes a person enterprising, fervent, prepared, and diligent, if nothing stops them. However, if they are stopped and cannot achieve what they desire, ambition shrinks and becomes dangerous and toxic. Ambitious individuals, if they see an open path to their progress, go forward freely and … Read more
Philosophical discourse as a spiritual exercise French philosopher Pierre Hadot is one of the most unusual figures in the French intellectual scene. Despite living in the 20th century, where the concept of philosophy has become detached from vitality and has become the subject of abstract academic discussions, he removes the label of uselessness from it … Read more
