Introduction
Of Studies Essay is an informative masterpiece work produced by Francis Bacon. This essay is one of the most remarkable and creative essays, and it offers practical reflections on the techniques and significances of studies. The author also mentions the importance of reading, writing, and learning in one’s life. In the essay, Bacon posits three basic purposes of studies: study for delight, study for ornament, and study for ability.
Of Studies Essay is the collection of ten essays published in 1597. The title of the essay collection was Essays or Counsel: Civil and Moral. Sir, Francis Bacon emphasizes construction of moral value with these essays. Of Studies essay offers the skills of study, Of Truth essay illustrates the true nature of man, and Of Revenge essay describes how patience and revenge play a critical role in society.
Introduction of Sir Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon (born on 22 January, 1561, in York House, Strand, in London; died on 19 April, 1626, in London, England) was a well-versed English scholar, a considerable scientist, and popularly known as an essayist. He wrote a number of essays on different topics, arguing about human behavior and nature. Some of his other prominent essays are Of Friendship, Of Love, Of Hatred, Of Studies, Of Death, Of Truth, Of Beauty, Of Philosophy, Of Ambition, Of Custom, and Of Education.
Analysis of the “Of Studies” essay
The essay begins with three basic aims of studies. Francis Bacon begins the essay mentioning the three founding purposes, which are discussed below.
Study for Delight
Bacon describes that studies serve for delight. Delightment can be found in the books of poetry, novels, stories, dramas, and prose. Studies can provide the breathing refreshness to the readers’ mood. If a person is feeling unhappy and reads a thrilling novel, then he may find freshness in his thoughts. Studying for delight also means studying in leisure time in solitude and loneliness.
Study for ornament
Study for ornament means studies can play a crucial role in the development of communication. It decorates one’s language and is an ornament in conversation, communication, and discourse. It means study helps the reader furnish the language skills, language tone, techniques, and word choice.
Study for Ability
Study for ability assists in personality development of the readers. This means one who studies attains more intellectual power. This helps to sharpen the reader’s brain and also helps them in brainstorming various thoughts related to the topic. Ability is related to intellectual horizon. Study for ability makes readers more critical and evaluative in certain domains. If a reader reads a book, he not only enjoys the book and sharpens his language skills but also becomes critical in a certain domain. However, studying too much or spending more time on studies can be harmful, because readers may forget their own level of thinking and their natural ideas. If a scholar applies his studied knowledge in every decision of life, it can be foolishness. Because studies cannot help readers to judge every aspect of life. The readers need to formulate their own natural opinions also.
According to Francis Bacon, “Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire studies, and wise men use studies.”
1- Crafty or primitive men who are hardworking hate studies. It is because they just skim and scan the study in order to get a specific idea. They take an overview of the book rather than studying the whole book.
2- Simple admire studies.
Men with simple intellect are not aware of deep learning and analyzing the text. When they read a line from a book, they just admire the line and author, rather than peeping into the text’s context, discourse, and analysis. Simple are like those who study art for art’s sake rather than art for life’s sake.
3- Intelligent men use studies.
Intelligent men bring learning and knowledge, acquired from studies, to their practical work.
Some books are to be tasted, others are to be swallowed, and a few are to be chewed and digested.
1- Some Books to Be Tasted
According to Bacon, there are some books that contain brief and superficial information. These are the books that are to be briefly read and skimmed, because they contain introductory information. These books are to be read for leisure time, to have entertainment, or to have a general view of the topic without paying attention to every detail.
2- Books are to be swallowed.
Francis Bacon suggests that some books are to be swallowed. Swallowing in the sense that some books should be read thoroughly and comprehensively. According to Bacon, these books contain valuable knowledge and therefore deserve to be read attentively. The books require great focus and attention in order to absorb the main idea of the content with delving into and examining every detail. In the context of this essay, swallowing a book means reading it whole and thoroughly.
3- Books are to be chewed and digested.
Francis Bacon points to a few books that are to be chewed and digested. This statement suggests that these books should be read thoroughly in order to analyze and understand every detail carefully with great attention. The word “chewed” implies to ponder upon the profound details. Whereas the term “digested” suggests reading, questioning, and combining the ideas into his own knowledge and understanding.
“Reading maketh a full man; conference, a ready man; and writing, an exact man.”
The first statement suggests that it is reading that provides man the knowledge of different perspectives, ideas, and experiences while broadening his understanding of the world. Reading adds knowledge to the wisdom of man and thereby makes him complete and aware.
The second phrase, “Conference a ready man,” suggests that discussions, conversations, and exchanging of ideas make man active. Through discussions, conversations, and exchanging of ideas, man can sharpen his communication skills and can help in the exploration of different viewpoints and other men’s perspectives.
The third phrase, “Writing an exact man,” suggests that writing brings clarity in ideas and thinking. Writing helps individuals to grow up their ability in order to articulate accurate and coherent thoughts, or to articulate thoughts in sequence. It implies the formulation of logical arguments and the effective conveyance of the message to the readers.
Francis Bacon suggests that if a man writes less, he must have a great memory to memorize all the things he learned while studying. If a person does not take part in discussion and conversations, he should be sharp in things in order to understand other men’s perspectives. If a person reads less, he should have clarity in ideas.
“Histories make men wise,
poets, witty; the mathematics subtle,
natural philosophy, deep; moral grave
logic and rhetoric, able to contend.”
In the above, Francis Bacon discusses benefits of reading. The author highlights that reading different subjects may provide different knowledge.
This first part points to studying history. Books provide you knowledge of the ancestors, mistakes and success stories. Studying history makes man witty and wise, as it helps to understand historical mistakes and shortcomings and provides the analytical approach of past events. The second part suggests that literary masterpieces sharpen wit and foster creativity and imagination. Literature helps readers to understand the history in comparative form; it also sharpens expressive skills. Mathematics subtly helps the learners in precision of arguments and logical reasoning. Mathematics helps learners to understand history with calculations in order to bring accuracy to the arguments. The third part highlights the science of the ancient times. The early science uncovers the natural philosophy/phenomena and complexity of the physical world. It points to an amalgamation of philosophy and moral values. It is concerned with the ethical questions and contemplation on moral principles. The fourth part describes how logic and rhetoric help in argumentation building. Logic and rhetoric structure thoughts and persuade readers with argumentative discourse. This is the way through which the readers can enhance personal development skills. Francis Bacon concludes the “Of Studies Essay” with the following statement.
“So every defect of the mind may have a special receipt.”
This statement shows that mental deficiency and flaws can be eradicated through tailored methods of treatment, meditation, and therapy remedies. Mental weakness can be resolved through education, personal orientation, or the contemplation process.
Importance of studies
Studies can benefit readers in numerous ways. Reading history books may help the individuals to analyze success stories, mistakes, and past events in order to equip themselves for hostile events. Studies, in general, help in personal growth and analytical skills, sharpen ability, and can help in self-peace and self-discovery.
Theme of Of Studies Essay
Of Studies essay is one of the remarkable ones written by Francis Bacon. Themes of the essay are personal growth and development, intellectual discipline, knowledge and wisdom, ethics and values, and continuous learning.
Conclusion
Of Studies essay unveils advantages of studies. Studies play a critical role in an individual’s life, equipping him with wisdom and activeness and making him a full man. Studying books on different subjects can broaden an individual’s way of thinking and making decisions. This essay is the representation of knowledge that is acquired through reading books.