Of Studies

by Francis Bacon

[Explanation in blue, original in black]

Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Study as an activity, in whatever form, brings us
joy and enhances our thinking, speaking and writing ability adding charm to our personality.
Their chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in
the judgment and disposition of business. Study is always a private activity which people engage in
when they are alone or in the privacy of their homes. It helps them in relaxation after a strenuous routine,
when the body and mind need to slow down. It sharpens our intellect helping us to judge things soundly.
It helps us to go about our lifes business in a more capable way.
For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and
the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned. It enables the learned men,
who have studied extensively, to critically examine issues, and arrive at the right conclusion. They can
garner data, facts and arguments or against a particular view rationally. Such intelligent analysis of facts
improves the soundness and quality of their judgment.
To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make
judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.However, over-indulgence in studies leads to
undesirable consequences. Setting aside long hours in a day to study will make a man idle. Overuse of the
wisdom to analyze ordinary commonplace issues may make the man appear pretentious and needlessly
showy. Sticking too much to rules to asses situations and decide action may invite mocking from others.
They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need
pruning, by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be
bounded in by experience. Studying adds finesse and perfection to human nature. Experience in life
supplements such honing of nature. A persons abilities inherited by birth are raw. Only when they are
carefully worked upon and honed, the in-born abilities yield us the best benefits. Studying is the way to
hone ones abilities. But inferences from study may lead to imprecise conclusions. In such situations,
ones experience in life comes in handy to arrive at the right conclusion. So, experience is very valuable
as it supplements studies.
Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their
own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by observation. People who are
cunning and deceitful have no appreciation for studies as they accomplish their objectives through many
crooked ways. Simple folks, however, greatly value the role of studies in human life. Wise people
inherently draw upon the ideas obtained from their studies while solving lifes myriad problems.
Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but
to weigh and consider. The aim of reading and acquiring knowledge must not be to refute others views or
accept the writers views as gospel truth. It should also not be to engage in pointless discussion and
argumentation. Studying should enable us to weigh facts and analyze them rationally.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is,
some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read
wholly, and with diligence and attention. Books of varying content and genre are to be made use of
differently. Some may be given a cursory reading, some others can be quickly sifted through. Other
important books are to be read slowly and minutely so that the meaning and sense are thoroughly
understood.
Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in
the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled
waters, flashy things. One can ask an assistant to read a book and prepare a short summary of it. But such
practice should be followed for obtaining guidance on matters of lesser importance. There are some books
which are, in fact, shortened already.
Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. Reading adds perfection
to a mans personality. Discussing with others about the contents of a book imparts special practical skills
to the reader. Writing removes all the residual weaknesses out of the person and enables him to remember
the contents of a book.
And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have
a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know that he doth not. So,
writing helps to memorize facts. If he is shy enough not to discuss his reading with others, he will not be
able to improve his wit. If he does not read, he will remain a somewhat stupid person.
Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep; moral grave;
logic and rhetoric able to contend. Studying history makes a man wiser, studying poetry makes a man
wittier, mathematics gives sound logical sense, and philosophy imparts valuable lessons on morality.
Abeunt studia in mores [Studies pass into and influence manners]. Nay, there is no stond or impediment
in the wit but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the body may have appropriate
exercises. Wit is a god-given gift. It is present in everybody. However, it can be sharpened by selective
studying. This is akin to the way certain weaknesses of the human body are cured by appropriate physical
exercises.
Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the
stomach; riding for the head; and the like. Some of the exercises and the diseases they cure are
Bowling for stone and reins; shooting for lung and breast ailments; walking for stomach problems; horse
riding for head etc.
So if a mans wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called
away never so little, he must begin again. If a person is unable to concentrate, he will do well to study
mathematics. In mathematics, a slight loss of concentration leads to error. This makes the man to start all
over again to do it. So, mathematics restrains the mind from darting off elsewhere.
If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for they are cymini
sectores [splitters of hairs]. If a person does not have the ability to discern, he will be benefited by
studying Schoolmen as it trains mental ability and develops the art of expression.
If he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study
the lawyers cases. So every defect of the mind may have a special receipt. If a person is unable to garner
facts and manipulate them to put across his views convincingly, studying law will help him. Thus, every
deficiency of mind can be addressed by appropriate reading.

People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something one
finds, it is something one creates, said Thomas Szasz. The saying tells that self is not sticking by nature,
or what one is from the time of its birth; but it is something nurtured, or developed through time. Such
quotation can be realized from one of the best essays of all time, which is Of Studies by Francis Bacon.
As the essay generally implies the purposes of written records such as of history and literature, it can also
be entailed from such how a person can search deeper in himself. And through examination deeper of
ones life, he can find the purpose in life. Hence, Of Studies, in some point of view, serves reading of
books as a tool in finding his reason for living.

Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man is the most impressive
statement a reader can find in Bacons essay. Reading, in such statement, mainly points out the
importance of knowledge in ones life. Making a full man indicates the importance of a persons memory
in living his life. Conventions, facts, cultures theories, principles, and ideologies shape a mans behavior
and perspectives towards attaining happiness. Conferencing a ready man shows the mans ability to
express through declarations of what he knows and arguments of what he believes is true. Here, reading
makes a man a good conversationalist; as such, one is able to find meaning in life with upright
communication in relationships with people. Writing an exact man signifies efficiency of his daily
activities in life. In search of his meaning, the use of logic helps him surpass any kind of natural or
human-related obstacle. Moreover, the quotation extends that And, therefore, if a man writes little, he
had needed have a great memory; if he confers little, he had need of a ready wit; and if he read little, he
had need of much cunning to seem to know that he knoweth not. Such statement illustrates the absence
of books; that without them, man would only stick to what he already has. Here, Bacon can also make his
readers realize, in some perspective, that man needs to grow and develop through time not only to survive
but also to enjoy life. In search for ones purpose, he should have a tendency of adapting to new ways of
thought and living that are influenced by literature and history. To internalize the above statements, as an
illustration, a college student dreams of becoming a lawyer someday. The only to attain the skills of
becoming a lawyer is through reading. Reading does not only enable the student to know the laws of the
land, become a good debater, and win cases. It also makes him understand the rationale of the law in
helping people, standing up to his moral principles, and win cases that benefit the public. The former
statement entails the becoming of a lawyer in search for wealth, while the latter in search for the meaning
of life. Hence, a person reading can either be influenced by what a society dictates him to be, or he can be
dictated by what his heart tells him to be. And only through following ones heart can he achieve
happiness.

The statement of Bacon Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to
find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider is also an effective one. Open-mindedness is the topic
of such statement. First, it tells the primary aim of reading is not to fill an empty mind, but to open a
closed one. Not only to provided information for the memory, reading enables a person to consider all
factors that would contribute to his happiness. In other terms, reading does not really create doubts, but
rather it carries people away from depression as it offers much more things to think about. Second, it
extends the senses of people due to their physical limitation. Reading cuts the boundaries as sources of
information are passed from one place to another. In such case, a person cannot be limited to an existing
knowledge in his area and that such is not the only reason for happiness. In short, a person cannot be
pressured by a certain culture if he couldnt comply with such because there is a wide variety of ways in
order to attain happiness. Reflecting on Bacons statement, for example, a Business Management major
student is unhappy with what his doing because he was only forced by his business-inclined parents as he
really wants to be a famous musician and excels indubitably in that field. Considering that he was
pressured by the fact that a Filipino should be able to get a stable and high-profit job through being in the
field of business rather than of hobby-related careers, reading inspirational books taught such student to
be rebellious to his parents. In such case, the books taught him that a person loving what he is doing is
more important than being rich and unhappy. And as such, reading books open minds to escape from
oppressive thinking.

Lastly, Bacons statement Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use
them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by
observation also brings a reader to a deep realization in life. It is a matter of skill versus theories that
comes into the dispute between reading and not reading. Bacon argues that the one who reads is better
than one who clings to what he already knows and master on his skills. Such provides that in order to
improve in a certain skill, reading is necessary. It does not only teach the fundamentals, but also
flourishes such abilities due to extensive studies and research. In relation to attaining ones purpose in
life, contentment can be achieved is curiosity is continuously satisfied. In explaining this, as an
illustration, a regular basketball player wants to become a star player or a primary contributor to a team.
Not only through daily practice, in order to be a powerful athlete, has he also studies past plays of
legendary NBA players and reading books in improving his game. Thus, in contrary to other athletes
regular way of improving their game only by practice, theories play an important role in mental
conditioning and witty plays overcoming the opponent.

Francis Bacons Of Studies serves reading of books as a means in finding mans purpose in life. It
emphasizes the importance of knowledge, open-mindedness, and theory empowering skill. Without
books, there would not be any needed improvement for man hence no other means of satisfying his
curiosity. A mans purpose in life is not limited to appreciating on what he has for, in some perspective,
man has insatiable desires and needs. Hence, being alive means wanting to know more. The main point of
all of it is that there will always be new discoveries; always a reason to obliterate existing knowledge with
a new one. As said by Gelett Burgess, If in the last few years you havent discarded a major opinion or
acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead.