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About this quote

What does it mean?
Trust in frail mortals is as temporary as water or dust.
In plain terms
Do not trust people too much; they are unreliable.
What can you take from it?
Human reliance is often fleeting.

Where it applies

  • relationships
  • career
  • personal decisions

Putting it to work

  • build self-reliance
  • expect imperfection in others

Questions to consider

  • Who should you trust?
  • Why is trust risky?

Another view

Some trust is necessary for connection.

More from Francis Bacon

  1. The world's a bubble, and the life of man Less than a span.

    Permalink to quote #144
  2. What then remains but that we still should cry Not to be born, or, being born, to die?

    Permalink to quote #146
  3. The greatest vicissitude of things amongst men is the vicissitude of sects and religions.

    Permalink to quote #143

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