For man seeketh in society comfort, use, and protection: and they be three wisdoms of divers natures, which do often sever: wisdom of the behaviour, wisdom of business, and wisdom of state.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People seek comfort, utility, and protection in society, but the wisdoms guiding these differ and often conflict.
- In plain terms
- Social needs pull us in different directions requiring different kinds of wisdom.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize conflicting values in social life.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Which wisdom guides your decisions?
- How do social needs conflict?
Another view
The distinctions between wisdom types are vague.
More from Francis Bacon
All good moral philosophy is but the handmaid to religion.
Permalink to quote #23 Primum quaerite bona animi; caetera aut aderunt, aut non oberunt
Permalink to quote #25 We are much beholden to Machiavel and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do.
Permalink to quote #22
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