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About this quote

What does it mean?
Everyone must participate actively in life; only divine beings can remain passive observers.
In plain terms
We all have to take part in life not just watch it.
What can you take from it?
Engage fully with life rather than watching from the sidelines.

Where it applies

  • career choices
  • community involvement
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • volunteering
  • making decisions
  • taking responsibility

Questions to consider

  • What does it mean to be a participant in life?
  • When is it okay to just watch?

Another view

Sometimes stepping back is necessary for perspective or health.

More from Francis Bacon

  1. They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. We are much beholden to Machiavel and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do.

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. The use of this feigned history hath been to give some shadow of satisfaction to the mind of man in those points wherein the nature of things doth deny it, the…

    Permalink to quote #19

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