Summary of Francis Bacon’s Of Studies

 

Introduction

Francis Bacon is called as the father of English prose.  He was the pioneer of English prose.  He has written many prose pieces on various subjects.  Bacon is known for his short yet poignant language.  He uses less number of words and sentences, yet he delivers great meaning and message to the readers and the society.  Of Studies is a short essay, which gives Bacon’s views on studies and its varieties. 

 Three Purposes of Studies

            Bacon opens his essay in a direct way.  He opens by establishing and listing out three major purpose of studies – delight, ornament ability.  People use studies for delight when they are within their private circle and when they rest and enjoy life.  Studies would help them to be at peace with themselves and with their close ones.  Some people use studies as an ornament in their discourse, either in their speech or when they write.  Some people use studies to prove their ability of judgement and to transact business. 

According to Bacon, expert men can execute a work when they handle a situation one by one.  They cannot handle things that come in groups.  On the other hand, only learned people have the quality and capability to handle things in groups. 

 Negative Impact of Studies

            Bacon talks about the negative impact of studies.  If a person spends too much of time in studies then he would become lazy, a sloth.  If a person uses too much of what he or she has studied for ornamentation, it would affect his personal character and would lead to self pride.  If a person uses too much of studies to make judgement about others, then it would degrade the learner into a mere clown and not a scholar.

 Studies and Nature

            Studies perfect nature.  Studies are perfected by experience.  Studies are like natural plants that needs little caring.  Studies would get a complete shape and will be capable of reaching to others through experience.  Crafty men condemn studies because they are involved in their skills.  Simple men admire studies and wise men use studies to acquire wisdom. 

            Bacon warns the readers not to study to contradict and confute, to believe and take for granted and not to talk but to consider and judge with patience.

 How to Read?

            Bacon also advises on how to read a book, “Some books are to be taste, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested”.  There are a variety of books among which some are to be read only in parts, a few books are meant to be read but not with eagerness and some books, which are really good, should be read as a whole with more concentration.

            While describing the importance of reading books, Bacon says, “Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.”  He also explains that, if a man writes little, he is lacking memory.  If a man talks little, he is lacking wit.  If a man reads little, he will be cunning.  Reading makes a human out of us. 

Cure given by Studies

Bacon establishes his Latin proficiency by quoting “Abeunt studia in mores” which means Studies pass into and influence manners.  Bacon compares studies with that of exercises, which keep the diseases away from our body.  “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.”  Similarly, if a man needs to improve his wit he should study mathematics.  If he is not able to differentiate or distinguish, he should study ‘Schooldmen’ (kind of logics, puzzles and riddles), which would make him split his hair and think.  If someone is not good at proving himself, let him study lawyer’s cases. 

            Bacon concludes the essay saying that every defect of mind could be cured by studies.