213 quotes
The human understanding is of its own nature prone to suppose the existence of more order and regularity in the world than it finds.
Novum Organum (1620)
Riches are a good handmaiden, but the worst mistress.
Money is a good servant but a bad master.
Alonso of Aragon was wont to say in commendation of age, that age appears to be best in four things — old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.
Apophthegms (1624)
We are much beholden to Machiavel and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do.
The Advancement of Learning (1605)
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
The Advancement of Learning (1605)
There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.
It is a strange desire which men have, to seek power and lose liberty.
Therefore, as atheism is in all respects hateful, so in this, that it depriveth human nature of the means to exalt itself, above human frailty.
Essays (1625)
Hurl your calumnies boldly; something is sure to stick.
De Augmentis Scientiarum (1623)
Judges ought to be more learned than witty, more reverend than plausible, and more advised than confident. Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue.
But by far the greatest obstacle to the progress of science and to the undertaking of new tasks and provinces therein is found in this — that men despair and think things impossible.
Novum Organum (1620)
For the inquisition of Final Causes is barren, and like a virgin consecrated to God produces nothing.
The Advancement of Learning (1605)
Ask counsel of both times—of the ancient time what is best, and of the latter time what is fittest.
He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.
Sacred and inspired divinity, the sabaoth and port of all men's labours and peregrinations.
The Advancement of Learning (1605)
The Arch-flatterer, with whom all the petty flatterers have intelligence, is a man’s self.
The greatest vicissitude of things amongst men, is the vicissitude of sects and religions.
Essays. Of Vicissitude of Things (1625)
If I had always served God as I have served you, Madam, I should not have a great account to render at my death.
But no pleasure is comparable to standing upon the vantage ground of truth.