Francis Bacon

The place of justice is a hallowed place.

Look to make your course regular, that men may know beforehand what they may expect.

All of our actions take their hue from the complexion of the heart, as landscapes their variety from light.

Discern of the coming on of years, and think not to do the same things still; for age will not be defied.

It is not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.

Philosophers make imaginary laws for imaginary commonwealths, and their discourses are as the stars, which give little light because they are so high.

Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.

For many years I was a self-appointed inspector of snowstorms and rainstorms and did my duty faithfully, though I never received payment for it.

The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses.

Sometimes if I see negative things it really doesn’t faze me, because you’ve got to be tough and you’ve got to be you.

Necessity is the mother of taking chances.

Named must your fear be before banish it you can.

A wicked fellow is the most pious when he takes to it. He’ll beat you all at piety.

He who is upright in his way of life and free from sin.

He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.

Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords: but, like all other pleasures immoderately enjoyed, the excesses of hope must be expiated by pain; and expectations improperly indulged, must end in disappointment. If it be asked, what is the improper expectation which it is dangerous to indulge, experience will quickly answer, that it is such expectation as is dictated not by reason, but by desire; expectation raised, not by the common occurrences of life, but by the wants of the expectant; an expectation that requires the common course of things to be changed, and the general rules of action to be broken.

The little may contrast with the great, in painting, but cannot be said to be contrary to it. Oppositions of colors contrast; but there are also colors contrary to each other, that is, which produce an ill effect because they shock the eye when brought very near it.

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.

There is something in the human spirit that will survive and prevail, there is a tiny and brilliant light burning in the heart of man that will not go out no matter how dark the world becomes.

Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.

With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now.