Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Of Empire

Rate this book
The perfect books for the true book lover, Penguin’s Great Ideas series features twelve more groundbreaking works by some of history’s most prodigious thinkers. Each volume is beautifully packaged with a unique type-driven design that highlights the bookmaker’s art. Offering great literature in great packages at great prices, this series is ideal for those readers who want to explore and savor the Great Ideas that have shaped our world.

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1597

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Francis Bacon

2,548 books936 followers
Not to confuse with collateral descendant and artist Francis Bacon

English philosopher, essayist, courtier, jurist, and statesman Francis Bacon, first viscount Saint Albans, in writings, which include The Advancement of Learning (1605) and the Novum Organum (1620), proposed a theory of scientific knowledge, based on observation and experiment, which people came as the inductive method.

A Baconian follows the doctrines of the philosopher Francis Bacon or believes in the theory of, relating to, or characteristic of his works or thought that he authored the plays, attributed to William Shakespeare.

This Queen's Counsel, an orator, authored. He served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England. After his death, his works extremely influenced especially as advocate and practitioner during the revolution.

People called Bacon the creator of empiricism. His works established and popularized simple Baconian inquiry, often called. His demand for a planned procedure of investigating all natural things marked a new turn in much of the rhetorical framework, which still surrounds proper conceptions today.

Bacon received a knighthood in 1603, and people created him baron Verulam in 1618 and promoted him in 1621.

Ideas of Bacon in the 1630s and 1650s influenced scholars; Sir Thomas Browne in his Encyclopaedia Pseudodoxia Epidemica (1646–72) frequently adheres to an approach to his inquiries. During the Restoration, the royal society founded under Charles II in 1660, commonly invoked Bacon as a guiding spirit.

During the 18th-century Enlightenment of France, criticism of the ancien regime associated more influential non-metaphysical approach of Bacon than the dualism of his French contemporary René Descartes. In 1733, Voltaire "introduced him as the ''father," a widespread understanding before 1750, to a French audience.

In the 19th century, William Whewell revived and developed his emphasis. People reputed him as the "father."

Because Bacon introduced the influence behind the dawning of the Industrial age in England, people also consider him. In works, Bacon,

"the explanation of which things, and of the true relation between the nature of things and the nature of the mind, is as the strewing and decoration of the bridal chamber of the mind and the universe, out of which marriage let us hope there may spring helps to man, and a line and race of inventions that may in some degree subdue and overcome the necessities and miseries of humanity,"


meaning he expected that through the understanding of use of mechanics, society creates more inventions that to an extent solves the problems. This idea, found in medieval ages, changed the course in history to inventive that eventually led to the mechanical inventions that made possible the Industrial Revolutions of the following centuries.

He also a long treatise on Medicine, History of Life and Death , with the natural prolongation.

For the historian William Hepworth Dixon of biographers, so great influence of Bacon in modern world proceeds to owe to who rides in a train, sends a telegram, follows a steam plough, sits in an easy chair, crosses the channel or the Atlantic, eats a good dinner, enjoys a beautiful garden, or undergoes a painless surgical operation

Francis Bacon's left the vast and varied that dispaly and that divided in three great branches:

Works present his ideas for an universal reform into the use of the improvement.

In literary works, he presents his morals.

Works reform in law.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with thi

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
32 (16%)
4 stars
53 (27%)
3 stars
63 (32%)
2 stars
35 (18%)
1 star
11 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Alan.
Author 0 books27 followers
October 1, 2020
Not quite what I was expecting. This book of meditations and, really, opinions is a hit or miss. Bacon sometimes offers useful and abstract knowledge that is novel, well thought through and, as far as I can see, correct. Unfortunately, much of the wisdom found in these short essays is generic and a matter of opinion. Take the essays on Buildings and Gardens; both texts don't abstract or explain why a home or garden should be a certain way, they instead dictate what should be where without context: 'Rosemary should be here, the fireplace over there- and don't forget strawberries!' ect.
Perhaps I'm being a little to hard on Bacon, there are certainly moments of deep reflection and insight about human nature and life, but overall, finding those nuggets of wisdom can be as tiresome as finding a diamond in the ruff.
Profile Image for Zak.
2 reviews
July 14, 2015
he is telling already known things through everyday experiences in an unusually complex use of words that could be told in a easy way
Profile Image for Megan.
1 review
September 18, 2018
I am totally taking it out of context, but I couldn't help but picture and old man talking to himself while I read. Like someone was trying to make small talk and casually said "hey Francis, I'm renovating my garden, do you think I should add roses?" Cut to Bacon saying "and that's how I feel about ponds" to a skeleton in a chair who died of boredom.

That being said this a good book that has some wisdom that is still relevant to today and the stuff that isnt relevant now is interesting as it gives some insight into the minds and culture of people from the 16th century.
Profile Image for ichibata.
19 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2020
look around you. do you happen to find yourself at the end of the 16th century without any DIY youtube channels nearby? well, golly you, because this book is just the right gem!
learn how to build a palace, which flowers you have to plant during which season, or just how to deal with those ghastly emotions within, and fellow men around you. Francis Bacon will turn you into a proper citizen (or – dare I say it? – prince) of good old Renaissance days. huzzah!
Profile Image for Mark.
306 reviews
March 28, 2024
Tidbits of wisdom for a certain class of people. Once again, an example of someone who advocates to the adherence of rules and the benefits of making decisions sans emotions.
Profile Image for Aziff.
Author 2 books38 followers
September 29, 2013
For the most of us who's grown up having our grandfather sit down and give us timeless advice, Francis Bacon's Of Empire would be but a reminiscent of such experiences. F. Bacon goes into the every general aspect of life and dispenses his wisdom on subjects such as ambition, negotiation, families and such.

Like the contemporaries of his time, F. Bacon's writings are reflective to an adage wisdom of his time, contextualized by his own experiences. That's not to say it wasn't a good read. I enjoyed Of Empire but to me, it would have made a more interesting case study and perhaps a platform to common sense. In this day and age, the form of wisdom found in this book likens itself to general advice that's now considered common sense to an extent.

Of Empire makes a perfect book to give to an adolescent taking his (yes, his, because this book was written with men in mind) first steps into adulthood. Although, the chapter on gardening and house advice would perhaps be far too outdated to take into consideration now.

It would be helpful to remember George Orwell's quote while reading this book: "The best books... are those that tell you what you know already."
Profile Image for Jeff.
169 reviews11 followers
January 19, 2011
There are some nice pithy saying in this little book. Some interesting ideas about how to lead your life in the 17th century...much like Franklin's autobiography in the 18th century...and even some insights into Renaissance society. But as a whole, it's not a very compelling book(let). If I were a Renaissance literature scholar, I'm sure this would be far more interesting, but I didn't find much in Bacon's writing that really had much meat to it. And I'm a little confused as to why it's "of empire."
Profile Image for Joshua Nomen-Mutatio.
333 reviews1,048 followers
Want to Read
October 30, 2008
The first two sentences of the book:

"IT IS a miserable state of mind, to have few things to desire, and many things to fear; and yet that commonly is the case of kings; who, being at the highest, want matter of desire, which makes their minds more languishing; and have many representations of perils and shadows, which makes their minds the less clear. And this is one reason also, of that effect which the Scripture speaketh of, That the king’s heart is inscrutable."
Profile Image for Oscar.
231 reviews5 followers
May 12, 2014
De poquito en poquito en poquito lo acabé. No es para picarte, es para leer unos capítulos, luego otros, luego otros.

La mentalidad antigua de Baco lo hace más lento y convencional hoy en día. Sin embarga indaga en cada tema de manera intensa e interesante. Si siento que vale la pena para entender el pensamiento de aquellas épocas (1600). Si, eso es lo más interesante del libro: ponerlo en contexto de tiempo.
Profile Image for Sunny.
908 reviews62 followers
January 4, 2012
interesting short book with some very insightful quotes about a variety of subjects like revenge, marriage, love, envy, cunning, ambition, beauty, studying, anger ... its francis bacons few pages on each of those types of subjects. some intersting thoughts raised. around hundred pages only.
Profile Image for Colin.
Author 5 books140 followers
April 23, 2008
Excellent little essays (to my mind an obvious model for those of A.C. Grayling) on philosophical and practical matters.
Profile Image for Brenden.
189 reviews9 followers
Read
January 18, 2010
OF EMPIRE (GREAT IDEAS S.) by FRANCIS BACON (2005)
Profile Image for Mohammad Reza.
118 reviews3 followers
July 1, 2018
معرفی کتاب : درباب امپراطوری (از سری کتاب های: ایده های بزرگ)

نویسنده : فرانسیس بیکن

مترجم : زیبا ستاری

کتاب با مقدمه از شرح حال نویسنده یعنی فرانسیس بیکن شروع میشه و با خلاصه ای از سرگذشت این شخص با یک دید تقریبا منفی از بیکن و رفتار های اشتباهش مقدمه به پایان میرسونه.

در ادامه کتاب به بیان گزیده ای از 27 موضوع مختلف از زبان بیکن میپردازه؛ موضوعاتی از قبیل انتقام،مطالعه؛فرمانروانی،سلامت،تجرد و تاهل و....

کتاب نسبت به حجم بسیار کمش (82 صفحه) اطلاعات بسیار خوبی به خواننده منتقل میکنه.

قسمت هایی از متن کتاب :اگر گاهی دانشی را که فراگرفته اید نادیده بگیرید،زمانی میرسید که میدانید دیگر هیچ نمیدانید...

.... و جز در یک مورد نباید خودرا ستود مگر در ستایش فضیلت دیگران، به خصوص فضیلتی که خود ادعای ان را داریم.از سخنان حساس درباره دیگران به ندرت باید استفاده کرد زیرا کلام باید چون زمینی باشد که به کی تعلق نگیرد.

... مگسی بر چرخ یک ارابه جنگی نشست و گفت چه گرد و خاکی میکنم.

*یکی از ویژگی های بیکن جاه طلبی وبلند پروازی این فرد بود که منجر به ماندگاریش هم شد.

نکته ای که این کتاب برای من داشت این بود که قضاوت نوشته ها و معلومات دیگران حداقل از روی موقعیت اجتماعی و اشتباهات گذشتشون کار درستی نیست و امکان این هست که گذشته یک فرد پر از اشتبهات اخلاقی و... باشه ولی دانش و معلومات بسیار مفید و اموزنده ای هم برای ارایه داشته باشند.

مورد اخر این که بعضی موضوعات کتاب به گونه ای هستند که هر خواننده ای امکان اعمال تصحیحات شخصی خودش هم نسبت به نوشته های بیکن داره و میتونه تجربه خوندن کتاب برای خواننده بهتر ولذت بخش تر کنه.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews