Salomon saith, There is no new thing upon the earth. So that as Plato had an imagination, that all knowledge was but remembrance; so Salomon giveth his sentence, that all novelty is but oblivion.
Francis BaconRead
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Age brings value to certain things like wood, wine, friendships, and literature.
In this quote, Francis Bacon emphasizes the idea that with age comes value and richness, highlighting four key aspects: the quality of old wood for burning, the depth of flavor in aged wine, the trustworthiness of old friends, and the wisdom found in the works of seasoned authors. Each of these elements reflects the notion that time enhances worth and reliability, suggesting that some things improve significantly as they mature.
Themes
AgeWisdomValueFriendshipLiteratureTrust
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a reunion, one might quote this to reflect on the value of lifelong friendships.
More from Francis Bacon
All quotes →Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise.
Francis BaconRead
Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion.
Francis BaconRead
Great art is always a way of concentrating, reinventing what is called fact, what we know of our existence- a reconcentration… tearing away the veils, the attitudes people acquire of their time and earlier time. Really good artists tear down those veils
Francis BaconRead
Wise men make more opportunities than they find.
Francis BaconRead
Knowledge and human power are synonymous.
Francis BaconRead
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