Essays of Francis Bacon
The Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral, of Francis Ld. Verulam Viscount St. Albans

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Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

Preface

To
The Right Honorable
My Very Good Lord
the Duke of Buckingham
His Grace, Lord
High Admiral of England
Excellent Lord:

SALOMON saies; A good Name is as a precious oyntment; And I assure my selfe, such wil your Graces Name bee, with Posteritie. For your Fortune, and Merit both, have been Eminent. And you have planted Things, that are like to last. I doe now publish my Essayes; which, of all my other workes, have beene most Currant: For that, as it seemes, they come home, to Mens Businesse, and Bosomes. I have enlarged them, both in Number, and Weight; So that they are indeed a New Worke. I thought it therefore agreeable, to my Affection, and Obligation to your Grace, to prefix your Name before them, both in English, and in Latine. For I doe conceive, that the Latine Volume of them, (being in the Universall Language) may last, as long as Bookes last. My Instauration, I dedicated to the King: My Historie of Henry the Seventh, (which I have now also translated into Latine) and my Portions of Naturall History, to the Prince: And these I dedicate to your Grace; Being of the best Fruits, that by the good Encrease, which God gives to my Pen and Labours, I could yeeld. God leade your Grace by the Hand. Your Graces most Obliged and faithfull Servant,

Fr. Sr. Alban

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Preface  •  Of Truth  •  Of Death  •  Of Unity  •  Of Revenge  •  Of Adversity  •  Of Simulation and Dissimulation  •  Of Parents  •  Of Marriage  •  Of Envy  •  Of Love  •  Of Great Place  •  Of Boldness  •  Of Goodness & Goodness of Nature  •  Of Nobility  •  Of Seditions  •  Of Atheism  •  Of Superstition  •  Of Travel  •  Of Empire  •  Of Counsel  •  Of Delays  •  Of Cunning  •  Of Wisdom Fo a Man’s Self  •  Of Innovations  •  Of Dispatch  •  Of Friendship  •  Of Expense  •  Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates  •  Of Regiment  •  Of Health  •  Of Suspicion  •  Of Discourse  •  Of Plantations  •  Of Riches  •  Of Prophecies  •  Of Ambition  •  Of Masques  •  Of Nature  •  Of Custom  •  Of Fortune  •  Of Usury  •  Of Beauty  •  Of Deformity  •  Of Building  •  Of Gardens  •  Of Negotiating  •  Of Followers and Friends  •  Of Suitors  •  Of Studies  •  Of Faction  •  Of Ceremonies and Respects  •  Of Praise  •  Of Vain-glory  •  Of Honor and Reputation  •  Of Judicature  •  Of Anger  •  Of Vicissitude of Things  •  Of Fame  •