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
Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Virtue shines brightest when it is unadorned and genuine.
This quote by Francis Bacon suggests that true virtue is most admirable when it is presented simply and honestly, without embellishments. Just as a precious stone is best showcased in its natural state, human virtues are more impactful when they are authentic and straightforward rather than when they are overly decorated with superficial traits or societal expectations.
Themes
VirtueSimplicityAuthenticityHonestyPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal values, one might cite this quote to emphasize the importance of authenticity in character.
More from Francis Bacon
All quotes →Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise.
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Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion.
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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.
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