Francis Bacon

They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.

Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.

Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men's nurses.

I will never be an old man. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.

Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.

Money is like manure, of very little use except it be spread.

Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.

Judges ought to be more leaned than witty, more reverent than plausible, and more advised than confident. Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue.

Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.

Who ever is out of patience is out of possession of their soul.

Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased by tales, so is the other.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.

The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.

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

Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.

God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.

A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.

Rich men's sons are seldom rich men's fathers.

Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.

Every addition to true knowledge is an addition to human power.

We rarely think people have good sense unless they agree with us.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.