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About this quote

What does it mean?
Excessive desire for power or knowledge leads to downfall.
In plain terms
Wanting too much power or knowledge can ruin you.
What can you take from it?
Moderation in desires prevents fall.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • innovation
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • check ambitions regularly
  • set ethical boundaries

Questions to consider

  • Where is the line between ambition and excess?
  • How can you stay grounded while pursuing knowledge?

Another view

It treats all excess as dangerous without distinguishing constructive ambition.

More from Francis Bacon

  1. If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a contine…

    Permalink to quote #92
  2. Money is like muck, not good except it be spread.

    Permalink to quote #94
  3. In charity there is no excess.

    Permalink to quote #91

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