OF STUDIES BY “FRANCIS BACON”

Francis Bacon is considered as father of English essays. His life span was 1561-1626 hence falls into
Elizabethan age. His essays have mixture of extreme brevity and deep social knowledge. The essay ‘Of Studies’
belongs to his first collection came out in 1597.

Uses of studies – Bacon writes that studies serve three things i.e. delight, ornament and ability. Studies gives
delight in free and personal time while it works as an ornament for discussions in the form of facts and figures.
It also provides a person ability to take judgement in different works.

Cons of excessive studies – If a person is involved in excessive studies he may become sloth (lazy) in terms of
other works. Excessive usages of studies in discussion may give impression of affectation or showy or over
embellishment. At the other hand while taking judgement wholly based on bookish knowledge may question the
critical mindset of the scholar. Studies should be used to give right direction in life and they are used in better
way through experience gained in life. Similarly as a plant is pruned to give it a better growth.

Attitude of the people towards studies – Clever and crafty people hate studies and they don’t feel its
requirement in life while simple people admire studies as they are too innocent to critically analyze any
particular knowledge system. But wise men use studies. They don’t confine themselves to gaining knowledge
only, rather they use that knowledge in life.

What should not be the purpose of studies – Studies shouldn’t be used to ‘contradict and confute’ i.e. to
oppose others unnecessarily. Similarly we should ensure that we are not blindly impressed with someone’s
knowledge and forget to use our critical thinking. Studies should also not be used to find opportunities for
discussion to show off your knowledge on a particular topic.

Different types of books – Bacon writes that there can be many types of books. Some books are only tasted or
read superficially while others are swallowed means demand more seriousness. But there are some other books
who deserve to be chewed and digested means read thoroughly and deeply. Some books can be studied by
subordinate or junior people who makes notes of them and which are read by others. But such books are
unimportant for serious affairs. As such books can be compared to distilled water which is devoid of all the
nutrients.

Purpose of Reading, discussing and writing – Bacon says that reading makes a person as complete man who
has knowledge of diverse fields. While discussion makes a person ready for instant and clever replies. It makes
a person ready for emergency situations. Similarly writing makes the person precise and exact. It helps in
becoming free of unfruitful arguments.

Benefits of different Subjects – It is amazing that Bacon found reason and benefits behind studying a particular
subject. He writes that History makes a man wise as it makes one aware about past mistakes. Poetry makes a
person witty as a poet compares incomparable things. Mathematics brings subtleness in human being as it
teaches to be clever in reaching conclusion. In the similar manner natural philosophy forces a person to think
deep, morality makes a person serious by nature. Logic and Rhetoric i.e. art of speaking helps in arguments.

Comparison of studies with exercises – Writer adroitly compares various exercises which helps in curing
different diseases to studies which helps in eliminating different weaknesses in human being. Bacon says
bowling is good for curing stone problem, shooting is good for lungs and breasts due to recoil effect of gun,
gentle walking for stomach issues, riding (horse riding) for head. Similarly different subjects such as
mathematics is good to bring concentration as one mistake during solution will make you to do the whole
exercise again. If someone is not good at distinguishing good and bad then he should study schoolmen i.e.
philosophy. Similarly if someone wants to make its thought prevail then he should study law. In this manner
there is a study for every weakness.

CONCLUSION : Francis Bacon a master of essay writing explained pros and cons of studies in his essay ‘Of
Studies’. He also talks about usages of studies in different fields of life, distinguished about good and bad
books, role of different subjects in curing various weaknesses in human being etc. In a nutshell Bacon critically
analyzed effect of studies on life
OF STUDIES BY “FRANCIS BACON”
The essay Of Studies by Sir Francis Bacon is the first essay in the series of ten essays published in 1597. Later, it
was revised in 1612 with the addition of some more sentences and ideas in it along with the alteration in some
vocabulary terms. This essay is regarded as Bacon’s masterpiece enriched with stylised Latin vocabulary, fresh
and new ideas, logical and relevant themes and wisdom of the world. For these reasons, the essay is still
popular among individuals of all ages. Adopting a didactic approach, the essay informs the readers about the
benefits and uses of studies in one’s life.

In this essay Bacon describes the importance of studies in human life. Bacon begins the essay by enlisting three
purposes of studies – “to delight, for ornament and for ability.” Studies delight most when one is secluded and
reposed. Knowledge acquired through studies serve as ornament in a conversation. A well read man will have
a good vocabulary and greater knowledge which will increase the worth of a conversation. Studies improve
one’s judgmental and authoritative abilities. Ordinary men can no doubt go about their daily business without
difficulty but a learned man will do so with higher efficiency. Bacon however says that studying too much is a
sign of laziness and using too many ornaments while conversing makes one look pretentious. To make
judgments only on the basis of rules is the eccentricity of a scholar.

Studies make a man perfect. Studying is not an inborn talent; it is acquired. The natural abilities of man are to
be enhanced by studies just like the growth of plants is enhanced by trimming. Studies provide both direction
and experience. Practical men often condemn studies but wise men use it. Studies teach man to learn from
observation. One must not use knowledge as a means of contradiction or confutation. Studies must also not
be used to believe or to take for granted, or to talk and discourse but “to weigh and consider”.

Then Bacon speaks about the different ways in which different books are to be read. He says – “Some books
are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” This means some books
are to be perused lightly, that is, tasted while some other books are to be understood and enjoyed, that is,
swallowed. On the other hand certain books are to be digested, that it, to fully extract their meaning and
implemented in one’s life. Therefore some books are to be read only in parts, others are to be read with less
curiosity, and some books are to be read with attention and diligence. Bacon however also says that
sometimes it may be enough to read extracts or reviews of books made by others instead of reading the whole
book by oneself. But according to Bacon this is to be done only in case of books of less importance. He
considers these “distilled books” to distilled waters which he calls “flashy things”.

Reading makes a man complete, conversation makes a man quick and witty, and writing improves the
memory. If a man writes less he will lack a good memory, if he speaks little he will lack wit and presence of
mind, and if he reads less he will not have much knowledge.

A study of history makes a man wise while a study of poetry makes him witty. Mathematics makes a man exact
and precise and natural philosophy increases the depth of the mind. Morals make a man grave whereas a
study of logic and rhetoric makes him more comprehensive. Studies pass into character. A man’s character is
influenced and defined by the type of books he reads.

There is no disease of the mind that cannot be cured by proper study. Bowling is good for the bladder and the
kidneys, shooting for the lungs and breast, walking for the stomach and riding is good for the head. Similarly
mathematics is the remedy for a wandering mind because if a man’s mind wanders while solving a problem he
will have to begin again. If a man is unable to make distinctions he must study schoolmen and if he is not quick
in passing through matters he should study the law. Thus Bacon concludes the essay by establishing that for
every deficit of the mind a remedy is to be found in studies.
Highlighting the importance of studies, Bacon’s essay illustrates the role studies play in an individual’s daily life. For Bacon, the study is always related to the application of knowledge
in practical life. At the beginning of his essay, Bacon describes the three main purposes of study including studying for gaining delight, studies done for ornamenting one’s life and
studying in order to improve one’s ability. The author is the notion that only learned and well-read men can execute plans effectively, manage their daily affairs with expertise and lead a
healthy and stable life. He further states that reading makes a full man; conference leads to a ready man while writing makes an exact man. While throwing light on the advantages and
usefulness of studies, Bacon also puts forward some demerits of study as he thinks that studying for a prolonged period of time may lead to laziness. He also condemns the act of
studying from books solely without learning from nature around. The essay Of Studies further asserts the benefits of studies by considering this act as a medicine for the defects of the
human mind and the source of enhancing one’s wit. While discussing the importance of studying in an individual’s life, the essayist informs his readers about the benefits of reading
good books. For Bacon, some books are only meant to be tasted; others are there to swallow while some books are meant for chewing and digesting properly. Therefore, the readers
must choose wisely before studying any book to enhance his/her knowledge about the world around.