The Essays

by Francis Bacon

RenaissancePhilosophy
53,012 words58 chapters~213 min read
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Francis Bacon's Renaissance philosophy collection explores timeless topics like friendship, ambition, and power through concise, practical wisdom. Written in the early 1600s, these influential essays blend classical thought with emerging modern ideas about human nature and society.

Opening lines

SALOMON saies; A good Name is as a precious oyntment; And I assure my selfe, such wil your Graces Name bee, with Posteritie. For your Fortune, and Merit both, have been Eminent. And you have planted Things, that are like to last. I doe now publish my Essayes; which, of all my other workes, have beene most Currant: For that, as it seemes, they come home, to Mens Businesse, and Bosomes. I have enlarged them, both in Number, and Weight; So that they are indeed a New Worke. I thought it therefore agreeable, to my Affection, and Obligation to your Grace, to prefix your Name before them, both in English, and in Latine. For I doe conceive, that the Latine Volume of them, (being in the Universall Language) may last, as long as Bookes last. My Instauration, I dedicated to the King: My Historie of Henry the Seventh, (which I have now also translated into Latine) and my Portions of Naturall History…
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Contents · 57 chapters

  1. Of Truth
  2. Of Death
  3. Of Unity In Religion
  4. Of Revenge
  5. Of Adversity
  6. Of Simulation And Dissimulation
  7. Of Parents And Children
  8. Of Marriage And Single Life
  9. Of Envy
  10. Of Love
  11. Of Great Place
  12. Of Boldness
  13. Of Goodness and Goodness Of Nature
  14. Of Nobility
  15. Of Seditions And Troubles
  16. Of Atheism
  17. Of Superstition
  18. Of Travel
  19. Of Empire
  20. Of Counsel
  21. Of Delays
  22. Of Cunning
  23. Of Innovations
  24. Of Dispatch
  25. Of Seeming Wise
  26. Of Friendship
  27. Of Expense
  28. Of Regiment Of Health
  29. Of Suspicion
  30. Of Discourse
  31. Of Plantations
  32. Of Riches
  33. Of Prophecies
  34. Of Ambition
  35. Of Masques And Triumphs
  36. Of Nature In Men
  37. Of Custom And Education
  38. Of Fortune
  39. Of Usury
  40. Of Youth And Age
  41. Of Beauty
  42. Of Deformity
  43. Of Building
  44. Of Gardens
  45. Of Negotiating
  46. Of Followers And Friends
  47. Of Suitors
  48. Of Studies
  49. Of Faction
  50. Of Ceremonies, And Respects
  51. Of Praise
  52. Of Vain-glory
  53. Of Honor And Reputation
  54. Of Judicature
  55. Of Anger
  56. Of Vicissitude Of Things
  57. Of Fame

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