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Of Empire
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
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About the author
Francis Bacon
2,506 books913 followersNot 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,
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
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
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 6, 2022
Like more than a few other essays of Bacon, this one opens with an eye-catching sweeping statement: “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 with kings “.
Bacon’s genius for condensing his suggestions in a small number of words is undoubtedly seen in this essay. We come across a number of adages having an aphoristic quality.
These for instance:
*The mind of man is more cheered and refreshed by profiting in small things, than by standing at a stay in great.
*And certain it is, that nothing destroyed authority so much as the unequal and untimely interchange of dower pressed too far and relaxed too much.
*For it is the solecism of power to think to command the end, and yet not to endure the mean.
*For there is no question but a just far of an imminent danger though there be no blow given, is a lawful cause of war.
These generalizations read almost like proverbs. The concluding stanza is yet another example of how Bacon can compress weighty ideas into a few words.
Kings in the main have not many objects of desire, but they have countless things to be afraid of.
Not having a lot of objects of desire, they feel downhearted. Having many things to be afraid of, their minds are often not very unambiguous
As a king occupies the highest position in his country, there are very few things that he can wish for. He therefore tries to think of something on which he can set his heart, even though this something may be trivial.
Nero was interested in playing on the harp. Domitian wanted to acquire skill in shooting arrows from his bow Commodus wanted to be an expert at sword-play. Caracalla wanted to be a good charioteer.
All these persons were Roman emperors who wanted to make a reputation for some kind of skill or the other. The fact is that the mind of man seeks activity of some kind, event though it be an activity in the search of something unimportant.
There have been cases of kings who made many conquests in war and who, having been unable to go on winning military victories, became gullible and depressed. Alexander the Great, Dioclesian, and Charles V belong to this class of kings.
A king, who is at home with winning battles, feels thwarted or aggravated on finding that he cannot prolong his career of conquests.
It is very hard for a king to achieve the state of mind in which he can govern his kingdom profitably. A king must learn competently to intermingle the qualities and methods obligatory for ruling fruitfully. A king must coalesce austerity with kindness. He will do a lot of damage to his authority if there are abrupt changes in his mood from harshness to mildness and vice-versa. Nero was an emperor who met his downfall because of this fault.
It is wrong on the part of a king not to take precautions to keep away a danger. Sometimes a king tries to avert a danger when it has already come too close to him. It is not proper for a king to keep changing his aims and objects. Kings often make the error of having self-contradictory aims.
Kings have to deal with neighbouring countries. They also have to deal with their wives, their children, their priests, their nobles, their second nobles (or gentlemen), their merchants, their common people, and their soldiers. Kings have to be careful in dealing with all these categories of persons.
So far as neighbouring countries are concerned, a king should be alert and watchful. A king should not allow any neighbouring country be become more powerful than before through territorial expansion or through the expansion of its trade.
King Henry VIII of England, Francis I of France, and Charles V of Spain maintained the balance of power among themselves in such a way that none of them could become a source of danger to the other. A comparable balance of power was maintained by Ferdinando, King of Naples, Lorenzius Medices ruler of Florence, and Ludovicus Sforza, ruler of Milan.
A king has the right to go to war with another king if the latter tries to become more authoritative than before.
Kings have to brave of their wives if their wives have a proclivity for conspiracy. Livia poisoned her husband emperor Augustus, to promote the ambition of her lover, Sejanus. Roxolana brought about the destruction of the household of her husband, Solyman the Magnificent. Edward II of England was murdered as a result of an intrigue in which his queen played a major role.
Such wives deceive their husbands either because they fall in love with other men or because they wish to make sure that their own children will succeed to the thrones (in case there are contender plaintiffs to the throne).
Sometimes a king suspects his son of unfaithfulness. Such a misgiving often leads to catastrophic outcomes. Constantine the Great destroyed his son, Crispus, with the result that his other Sons also met brutal deaths. King Philip of Macedonia destroyed his son Demetrius, but he himself afterward died of regret.
So far as priests are concerned, kings should be on their guard against them if they are arrogant or influential. Anselmus and Thomas Beckett, Archbishops of Canterbury, came into open disagreement with their kings. This danger to kings becomes greater when the priests get the support of some foreign power.
A king should keep the nobles at a distance though he should not try to take away all their power. So far as the second nobles are concerned, they may sometimes talk big but they are not very hazardous. Besides, they are helpful so far as they do not allow the high nobles to become too commanding.
A king will lose the goodwill of the merchants if he imposes too many taxes on them. Excessive taxation leads to the stagnation of trade, and a resultant loss of the public revenue.
The common people are generally not dangerous unless powerful leaders emerge to lead them or unless a king interferes with their religion or their customs.
Soldiers pose a danger to a king if they are united and if they are used to receiving monetary gifts like those received by the bodyguard of the Roman emperors. Soldiers should be placed under the command of several generals and they should not be spoilt by being given monetary rewards.
A king may be compared to a planet which gets no rest bec ause it keeps moving all the time but which influences human affairs for good or for evil. A king should remember that he is a man; and he should also remember that he is God or in place of God. A king’s power will remain in check if he remembers that he is a human being, and his will or desire will remain in cheek if he remembers that he is God or in place of God.
Although the ideas of this essay have become outmoded, yet it is possible for us to welcome the unassailability of the advice which Bacon offers to kings. Bacon, indeed, gives hearty and precious advice to kings as regards their dealings with their neighbours, their wives, their children, their clergymen, their nobles, their merchants,, their common people and their soldiers.
As this essay is concerned with kings and the policies they should follow, the essay has very little value for the common reader.
But it certainly throws some light on human nature and enables us to appreciate the motives which prompt the actions and policies of kings as also the actions of various categories of people.
This essay contains a wealth of illustrations to support the various arguments advanced by Bacon. We are given, for instance, a number of cases of kings who, having few things to desire, set their hearts upon trifles.
Nero wanted to acquire skill in playing on the harp; Doniltian wanted to become a good marksman Caracalla wished to become a skilled charioteer; and o on. Then there are examples of how certain kings’ formed alliances in order to maintain the balance of power.
Paradigms are also given of how certain queens betrayed their husbands, and how certain kings had their sons assassinated owing to their suspicions that the sons were unfaithful to them. Then there are examples of priests who came into conflict with their kings. All these historical examples show the wide range of Bacon’s knowledge and his ready command of it.
Speaking reasonably, this is one of the longer essays of Bacon. There is a commonsensical expansion of the ideas in it, and we do not here get the feeling that the ideas have slackly been arranged. In other words, this essay cannot be said to be a collection of “dispersed meditations”. The ideas here logically flow from one another.
This is one of the most excellent political essays of Bacon. The ideas of this essay have now become archaic. There are barely any kings left in the world and those who are left have scarcely any power or authority in their hands. This essay has, consequently, only a limited historical interest, but it does augment our comprehension of the past.
Bacon’s genius for condensing his suggestions in a small number of words is undoubtedly seen in this essay. We come across a number of adages having an aphoristic quality.
These for instance:
*The mind of man is more cheered and refreshed by profiting in small things, than by standing at a stay in great.
*And certain it is, that nothing destroyed authority so much as the unequal and untimely interchange of dower pressed too far and relaxed too much.
*For it is the solecism of power to think to command the end, and yet not to endure the mean.
*For there is no question but a just far of an imminent danger though there be no blow given, is a lawful cause of war.
These generalizations read almost like proverbs. The concluding stanza is yet another example of how Bacon can compress weighty ideas into a few words.
Kings in the main have not many objects of desire, but they have countless things to be afraid of.
Not having a lot of objects of desire, they feel downhearted. Having many things to be afraid of, their minds are often not very unambiguous
As a king occupies the highest position in his country, there are very few things that he can wish for. He therefore tries to think of something on which he can set his heart, even though this something may be trivial.
Nero was interested in playing on the harp. Domitian wanted to acquire skill in shooting arrows from his bow Commodus wanted to be an expert at sword-play. Caracalla wanted to be a good charioteer.
All these persons were Roman emperors who wanted to make a reputation for some kind of skill or the other. The fact is that the mind of man seeks activity of some kind, event though it be an activity in the search of something unimportant.
There have been cases of kings who made many conquests in war and who, having been unable to go on winning military victories, became gullible and depressed. Alexander the Great, Dioclesian, and Charles V belong to this class of kings.
A king, who is at home with winning battles, feels thwarted or aggravated on finding that he cannot prolong his career of conquests.
It is very hard for a king to achieve the state of mind in which he can govern his kingdom profitably. A king must learn competently to intermingle the qualities and methods obligatory for ruling fruitfully. A king must coalesce austerity with kindness. He will do a lot of damage to his authority if there are abrupt changes in his mood from harshness to mildness and vice-versa. Nero was an emperor who met his downfall because of this fault.
It is wrong on the part of a king not to take precautions to keep away a danger. Sometimes a king tries to avert a danger when it has already come too close to him. It is not proper for a king to keep changing his aims and objects. Kings often make the error of having self-contradictory aims.
Kings have to deal with neighbouring countries. They also have to deal with their wives, their children, their priests, their nobles, their second nobles (or gentlemen), their merchants, their common people, and their soldiers. Kings have to be careful in dealing with all these categories of persons.
So far as neighbouring countries are concerned, a king should be alert and watchful. A king should not allow any neighbouring country be become more powerful than before through territorial expansion or through the expansion of its trade.
King Henry VIII of England, Francis I of France, and Charles V of Spain maintained the balance of power among themselves in such a way that none of them could become a source of danger to the other. A comparable balance of power was maintained by Ferdinando, King of Naples, Lorenzius Medices ruler of Florence, and Ludovicus Sforza, ruler of Milan.
A king has the right to go to war with another king if the latter tries to become more authoritative than before.
Kings have to brave of their wives if their wives have a proclivity for conspiracy. Livia poisoned her husband emperor Augustus, to promote the ambition of her lover, Sejanus. Roxolana brought about the destruction of the household of her husband, Solyman the Magnificent. Edward II of England was murdered as a result of an intrigue in which his queen played a major role.
Such wives deceive their husbands either because they fall in love with other men or because they wish to make sure that their own children will succeed to the thrones (in case there are contender plaintiffs to the throne).
Sometimes a king suspects his son of unfaithfulness. Such a misgiving often leads to catastrophic outcomes. Constantine the Great destroyed his son, Crispus, with the result that his other Sons also met brutal deaths. King Philip of Macedonia destroyed his son Demetrius, but he himself afterward died of regret.
So far as priests are concerned, kings should be on their guard against them if they are arrogant or influential. Anselmus and Thomas Beckett, Archbishops of Canterbury, came into open disagreement with their kings. This danger to kings becomes greater when the priests get the support of some foreign power.
A king should keep the nobles at a distance though he should not try to take away all their power. So far as the second nobles are concerned, they may sometimes talk big but they are not very hazardous. Besides, they are helpful so far as they do not allow the high nobles to become too commanding.
A king will lose the goodwill of the merchants if he imposes too many taxes on them. Excessive taxation leads to the stagnation of trade, and a resultant loss of the public revenue.
The common people are generally not dangerous unless powerful leaders emerge to lead them or unless a king interferes with their religion or their customs.
Soldiers pose a danger to a king if they are united and if they are used to receiving monetary gifts like those received by the bodyguard of the Roman emperors. Soldiers should be placed under the command of several generals and they should not be spoilt by being given monetary rewards.
A king may be compared to a planet which gets no rest bec ause it keeps moving all the time but which influences human affairs for good or for evil. A king should remember that he is a man; and he should also remember that he is God or in place of God. A king’s power will remain in check if he remembers that he is a human being, and his will or desire will remain in cheek if he remembers that he is God or in place of God.
Although the ideas of this essay have become outmoded, yet it is possible for us to welcome the unassailability of the advice which Bacon offers to kings. Bacon, indeed, gives hearty and precious advice to kings as regards their dealings with their neighbours, their wives, their children, their clergymen, their nobles, their merchants,, their common people and their soldiers.
As this essay is concerned with kings and the policies they should follow, the essay has very little value for the common reader.
But it certainly throws some light on human nature and enables us to appreciate the motives which prompt the actions and policies of kings as also the actions of various categories of people.
This essay contains a wealth of illustrations to support the various arguments advanced by Bacon. We are given, for instance, a number of cases of kings who, having few things to desire, set their hearts upon trifles.
Nero wanted to acquire skill in playing on the harp; Doniltian wanted to become a good marksman Caracalla wished to become a skilled charioteer; and o on. Then there are examples of how certain kings’ formed alliances in order to maintain the balance of power.
Paradigms are also given of how certain queens betrayed their husbands, and how certain kings had their sons assassinated owing to their suspicions that the sons were unfaithful to them. Then there are examples of priests who came into conflict with their kings. All these historical examples show the wide range of Bacon’s knowledge and his ready command of it.
Speaking reasonably, this is one of the longer essays of Bacon. There is a commonsensical expansion of the ideas in it, and we do not here get the feeling that the ideas have slackly been arranged. In other words, this essay cannot be said to be a collection of “dispersed meditations”. The ideas here logically flow from one another.
This is one of the most excellent political essays of Bacon. The ideas of this essay have now become archaic. There are barely any kings left in the world and those who are left have scarcely any power or authority in their hands. This essay has, consequently, only a limited historical interest, but it does augment our comprehension of the past.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
December 11, 2017
For the most part, I liked Bacon's advice.
October 31, 2020
good book with Bacon thoughts on many subjects.
December 6, 2020
‘It is a poor centre of a man’s actions, himself’.
January 30, 2022
of studies? hm.
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.
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."
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."
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."
Want to read
October 30, 2008The 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."
"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."
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.
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.
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.
April 23, 2008
Excellent little essays (to my mind an obvious model for those of A.C. Grayling) on philosophical and practical matters.
Read
January 18, 2010OF EMPIRE (GREAT IDEAS S.) by FRANCIS BACON (2005)
March 28, 2014
vulcan approved.
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.
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.
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