9 Francis Bacon Quotes on Character

Francis Bacon quotes on character

25. Primum quaerite bona animi; caetera aut aderunt, aut non oberunt

74. It is yet a higher speech of his than the other, 'It is true greatness to have in one the frailty of a man and the security of a god.'

78. Prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.

79. Virtue is like precious odors - most fragrant when they are incensed or crushed.

83. A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth virtue in others. For men's minds, will either feed upon their own good, or upon others' evil; and who wanteth the one, will prey upon the other; and whoso is out of hope, to attain to another's virtue, will seek to come at even hand, by depressing another's fortune.

90. A good name is like a precious ointment; it filleth all around about, and will not easily away; for the odors of ointments are more durable than those of flowers.

108. Seeming wise men may make shift to get opinion; but let no man choose them for employment; for certainly you were better take for business, a man somewhat absurd, than over-formal.

125. Virtue is like a rich stone - best plain set.

136. Histories make men wise; poets, witty; the mathematics, subtile; natural philosophy, deep; moral, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend.