Francis Bacon
Reading edition
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. ST. ALBAN
CONTENTS
Of Truth
Of Death
Of Unity In Religion
Of Revenge
Of Adversity
Of Simulation And Dissimulation
Of Parents And Children
Of Marriage And Single Life
Of Envy
Of Love
Of Great Place
Of Boldness
Of Goodness and Goodness Of Nature
Of Nobility
Of Seditions And Troubles
Of Atheism
Of Superstition
Of Travel
Of Empire
Of Counsel
Of Delays
Of Cunning
Of Wisdom For A Man's Self
Of Innovations
Of Dispatch
Of Seeming Wise
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 And Triumphs
Of Nature In Men
Of Custom And Education
Of Fortune
Of Usury
Of Youth And Age
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
A Glossary Of Archaic Words And Phrases