Of Studies by Bacon

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Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned. To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar. They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for 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. Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by observation. Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things. Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know that he doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt studia in mores [Studies pass into and influence manners]. Nay, there is no stond or impediment in the wit but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the body may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding for the head; and the like. So if a man’s wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little, he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for they are cymini sectores [splitters of hairs]. If he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study the lawyers’ cases. So every defect of the mind may have a special receipt.

Que. Write critical appreciation of the essay 'Of Studies'.

Francis Bacon is called the father of English essay. His essays are the results of his direct observation of men and matters. He has written a number of essays on various subjects. OF STUDIES is one of them.

This essay deals with three aspects of studies. These three aspects are the uses, effects and purpose of studies. Bacon says that studies are useful in three ways. They give delight in our private life. They render our talk in society interesting and witty. They develop our powers of decision and judgment.

The essayist says that studied are disliked by crafty men. They are admired by simple people. Wise men use them profitably. Books must not make us contagious or dogmatic. But they should make us critical. Bacon is of the view that some books are to be read. Many books may be read by summaries. According to him a few books are to read deeply and thoroughly.

The essayist says that we should read in order to gather information. We must discuss and debate in order to be quick-witted. We must write in order to fully assimilate what is read. We should try to gain precision in the use of words. The reading of books on various subjects will help to cure the defects of our mind.

Bacon says that the real object of studies is to develop our self knowledge. The effect of studies on our mind is to banish errors and mistakes. Studies make our minds cultivated. Without them our minds will be mixture of abilities and disabilities which are mutually incompatible. In short, studies mould our characters.

Thus OF STUDIES is a beautiful essay by Bacon. It is full of aphorisms. Many of them passed into current quotations. This essay seems like a collection of short, pithy maxims with tremendous compression. Each sentence conveys deep and concentrated meaning. Here the essayist has expressed serious thought in a simple, clear and brief manner. Here the emphasis is laid on the matter rather than on the manner. The matter is grave, deep and philosophical.