Francis Bacon

Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.

Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome, seldom extinguished.

The serpent if it wants to become the dragon must eat itself.

If a man’s wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics.

Rebellions of the belly are the worst.

The pencil of the Holy Ghost hath labored more in describing the afflictions of Job than the felicities of Solomon.

Thus, by every device from the stick to the carrot, the emaciated Austrian donkey is made to pull the Nazi barrow up an ever-steepening hill.

Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.

Believe nothing against another but on good authority; and never report what may hurt another, unless it be a greater hurt to some other to conceal it.

What’s the point of having great knowledge and keeping them all to yourself?

No one ever became great by imitation.

The Humble, Meek, Merciful, Just, Pious and Devout Souls, are everywhere of one religion; and when Death has taken off the Mask, they will know one another, though the divers Liveries they wear here make them Strangers.

I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.

People of great position are servants times three, servants of their country, servants of fame, and servants of business.

It makes a great difference in the force of a sentence, whether a man be behind it or no.

Short words are the best and old words when short are best of all.

Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.

I have had to learn that my voice has value. And if I don’t use it, what’s the point of being in the room?

It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it.

Players, Sir! I look on them as no better than creatures set upon tables and joint stools to make faces and produce laughter, like dancing dogs.

I believe that he was really sorry that people would not believe he was sorry that he was not more sorry.