Summary and Analysis of Francis Bacon's Of Studies

Of Studies- Francis Bacon

Summary and Analysis:

          Bacon illustrates the importance of studies. Man advances his position when he learns. Studies serve three purposes:

           i. Happiness

          ii. Ornaments oneself

          iii. Enables a person to handle situation.

          Man becomes lazy, when he has learned all and spends too much time in studying. At some point man judge people based on his knowledge to act accordingly, knowledge leaves him in solitude. Wisdom is hidden inside the people, studies are the tool to enrich and refresh the knowledge. Cunning people have high opinion on studies to take short cuts to acquire knowledge; simple man always admires; when the wise man applies it to lead peaceful life.  Studies make men to understand facts because he should not agree with wrong and argue the right. 

Bacon’s view on books:

            Some books meant for shallow reading, other meant for entertainment, few meant to have complete reading. It teaches values that people lack. Some people need other’s assistance to get an idea of a book.  Assisting to gain knowledge is advisable for the less significant things, one ought to read text rather than moving to summary. The new idea learned by reading must not mislead a person against people. A man must read text with proper understanding which serves the purpose of the author.

Bacon’s view on readers:

                “Reading maketh a full man; conference a

                  ready man; and writing an exact man”.

          Reading makes a man complete. People gain knowledge through reading and apply in life. If people discuss what they have learnt by reading that makes them ready.  Interaction makes the man ready to face the world.  People get new ideas, when they discuss what they have read.  Based on this people write a new idea this makes them exact.  Here the purpose of study is achieved.  People write better, when they have good memory. Some are in need of wit to share the knowledge with others.  Minimal reading makes people ignorant and they remain idle. 

Bacon’s views on different studies:

          History – makes people wise

          Poetry   - makes people humorous.

          Maths   - people learn logical techniques.

         Philosophy- makes people rational and enables to differentiate good and bad.

          Bacon compares physical and mental illness.  Body and mind acts as a main source, both need some workouts.  Bowling practices heals stone, shooting cures issues in breast and lungs, healthy stomach needs walk and head needs ride.  On the other hand, mental illness is cured by different disciplines.  A person who cannot concentrate is advisable to practice mathematics to have focus on things they handle. People who are not able to differentiate good and bad are need to undergo drills of schoolmen to enrich their wittiness. Some struggles in recognising facts to put forth his views to convince others ought to learn law.  Regular practice of law enables them to collect facts and argue in the way to grasp the attention of others. 

          Studies turn people to enjoy life. It enriches people with additional skills like writing, thinking and conferencing. Studies provide an additional glow to everyone’s personality. It helps to create or recreate a concept or idea. It refines personality and speech.