Essays of Bacon - (Revised Edition)

Author: Francis Bacon
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: This book is part of the Classic Essays Translation Series and is one of the collections of modern British essays. Bacon was an outstanding British philosopher and writer. The content of this book covers politics, economics, religion, love, marriage, friendship, art, education, ethics, and almost every aspect of human life. As a knowledgeable philosopher and thinker who understood human nature and the complexities of the world, Bacon had profound and unique insights on the topics he discussed. Bacon's life was one of pursuit of knowledge, but also one of pursuit of power. As a man who combined the roles of philosopher, writer, judge, and politician, Bacon's thoughts were complex and ever-changing. From this slim volume of "Essays," we can discern various layers of meaning—whether it serves as a textbook for social interactions or a guide to navigating the political world. In essays like "On Truth," "On Death," and "On Human Nature," we see a Bacon who loved philosophy. In essays like "On Superiors," "On Sovereignty," and "On Ambition," we see a Bacon deeply interested in politics and well-versed in the workings of the court. In essays like "On Love," "On Friendship," and "On Marriage and Celibacy," we see a Bacon with a rich appreciation for life. In essays like "On Adversity," "On Fortune," and "On Disability," we see a Bacon who never gave up on self-improvement. In essays like "On Deceit and Concealment" and "On Conversation," we see a Bacon who was cunning and worldly-wise. However, as Bacon himself said well: "Reading too much can breed laziness; learning must be guided by experience, or one may stray from the right path. Knowing how to learn does not mean knowing how to apply it; the art of application lies beyond books and must be mastered through personal experience."