Of Studies by Francis Bacon Summary

 

Summary:

Studies are very useful. They are a source of pleasure in one's leisure time. They also have an artistic value. They increase one's conversation power. They also help to develop one's ability to judge. The learned man acquires the ability to successfully handle business matters.

Studies have some abuses. To spend too much time on studies is a sign of laziness. Excessive use of studies in one's conversation is a sign of pedantry or vain display of learning. If one's judgment depends completely on the rules learned from a book, then it shows the eccentricity of a scholar.

Studies and practical experience are interconnected. Studies help a man to overcome the deficiencies that he has by nature. On the other hand, practical experience helps to increase the value of studies. Studies and practical experience together complete a man's personality. Without each other, they are imperfect. 

Cunning men consider studies as useless. Simple men consider studies as an admiration. And wise men use studies in practical life. Natural talents are developed properly through studies. 

A man should not read books only to contradict others. He also should not believe what he reads in the book. He also should not read books just to gather conversation materials. A man should read books so that he can think about what he reads and judge the value of what the books contain. 

Some books are to be read in bits only. Others are to be read quickly. Only a few are to be read carefully and assimilated.

In the case of some books, one can ask other men who give the summary. But this method should be adopted only in the case of books that are not very important. Because no man can get satisfied with a mere summary of a good book.

Reading develops the whole personality of a man. It fills the mind of a man with new ideas and thoughts. Conversation makes a man alert and quick-witted, never at a loss for words. If a man takes down notes from what he reads, he becomes disciplined and precise in his talking and thinking.

Different types of books have different effects on the reader. History makes a man wise. Poetry makes a man imaginative. Natural philosophy develops a man to go deep into things. Logic increases a man's debating powers. Bowling is good for the kidneys. Shooting is good for the lungs. Walking is good for digestion. Similarly, the study of mathematics is good for wandering minds. It develops subtlety in a man. If a man is unable to make distinctions between things, he should take up the study of scholastic philosophy. If a man is unable to examine a subject carefully from point to point, he should read law cases.