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 significance 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.
Francis Bacon Essays
Of Studies Essay is in the collection of ten essays published in 1597. The title of the collection of essays was Essays or Counsel: Civil and Moral. Sir Francis Bacon emphasizes the construction of moral value through his 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.
About 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, considered a scientist, and popularly known as an essayist. He wrote several essays on different topics, arguing about human behavior and nature. Some of his other prominent essays are Of Friendship, Of Love, Of Revenge, Of Studies, Of Death, Of Truth, Of Beauty, Of Philosophy, Of Ambitious, Of Custom, and Education.
Analysis of “Of Studies Essay”
The essay begins with three basic aims of studies. Francis Bacon begins the essay by mentioning the three founding purposes, which are discussed below.
- Study for Delight
- Bacon describes that studying serves for delight. It can be found in the books of poetry, novels, stories, drama, and prose. Studies can provide breathing refreshment to the reader’s mood. If a person is feeling unhappy and reads a thrilling novel, then he may feel freshness in his thoughts. The study for delight also means to study 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 ornaments in conversation, communication, and discourse. It means that studying helps the reader furnish the language skills, language tone, techniques, and word choice.
Study for Ability
Studying for ability assists in the 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 brainstorm various thoughts related to the topic.
Ability is related to intellectual Horizon
Studying for ability makes readers more critical and evaluative in certain domains. If a reader reads a book, he gains not only enjoyment from the book and sharpens his language skills, but it also makes him critical in a certain domain.
However, studying too much or spending too much time on studies can be harmful because readers may forget their level of thinking and their natural ideas. If a scholar applies his studied knowledge to every decision in life, it can be foolishness. Because studies cannot help readers 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: Those who are hardworking hate studies. It is because they just skim and scan studies to get specific ideas. 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 lines from a book, they just admire the lines and author rather than peeping into the text 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, in their practical work.
“Some books are to be tasted, others are to be swallowed, and some are to be chewed and digested.”
1. Some books to be tasted
According to Bacon, some books 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 thoughtfully and comprehensively. According to Bacon, these books contain valuable knowledge and therefore deserve to be read attentively. The books require great focus and attention to absorb the main idea of the content by delving into and examining every detail. In context to 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 to analyze and understand every detail carefully and with great attention. The word chew implies to ponder upon the profound details. whereas the term digested suggests reading, questioning, and combining the ideas into his 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 with 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 men active. Through discussions, conversations, and the exchanging of ideas, man can sharpen his communication skills and can help him in the exploration of different views and other man’s perspectives.
The third phrase, “Writing an exact man,” suggests that writing brings clarity to ideas and thinking. Writing helps individuals grow their ability to articulate accurate and coherent thoughts or to articulate thoughts in a sequence. It implies the formulation of logical arguments and the conveying of the message effectively 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 discussions and conversations, he should be sharp to understand other men’s perspectives. If a person reads less, he would have clarity in ideas.
“Histories make men wise,
poets, witty; the mathematics subtle,
natural philosophy, deep; moral grave
logic and rhetoric, able to contend.”
Line by line Explanation
In the above lines, Francis Bacon discusses the 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 history in comparative form; it also sharpens expressive skills. Mathematics subtle 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 ancient times. The early science uncovers the natural philosophy/phenomena and complexity of the physical world. It points to the amalgamation of philosophy and moral values.
It is concerned with the ethical questions and contemplation on moral principles. The fourth part describes that 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, the personal-oriented, or 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, analytical skills, and sharpening ability, and it can help in self-peace and self-discovery.
The theme of the Of Studies Essay
Of Studies essay is one of the memoirs written by Francis Bacon. The themes of the essay are personal growth and development, intellectual discipline, knowledge and wisdom, ethics and values, and continuous learning.
Conclusion
Of Studies, the essay unveils the 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.