Of Revenge

by Francis Bacon
Original
Revenge is a kind of wild justice; which the more man’s nature runs to, the more ought
law to weed it out.
Explanation
The urge to avenge the humiliations, injustices and wrongs heaped on us by others gives
us some pleasure, relief and satisfaction. Such tendency to pay back our tormentors in
their own coins is so pervasive and universal. However, such a toxic and in-born
tendency must be curbed through legal means.
Original
For as for the first wrong, it doth but offend the law; but the revenge of that wrong
putteth the law out of office.
Explanation
When the tormentor inflicts harm on his subject, he breaks the law, as no member of the
civilized society is permitted to take law into his hand and cause physical or mental harm
to a fellow human. In the same vein, the person who has been wronged, can’t hit back at
his adversary. Logically, he should seek legal recourse to the injustice meted out to him,
but if he impulsively harms the enemy, he breaks the law himself. Such acts of instant
retribution is not permitted under law.
Original
Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he
is superior; for it is a prince’s part to pardon.
Explanation
Avenging a wrong, or a defeat or a humiliation lets the wronged person to draw level
with his foe, and derive satisfaction. However, he chooses to forgive and forget, and does
not allow the perpetrator’s evil act besmirch his self, he emerges as the true victor.
Pardoning the evil-doer is not a sign of weakness or timidity. It takes great courage,
moral strength, and magnanimity of mind to pardon the sinner. Such ability to ignore the
scars left by the wrong-doer needs a big heart and a sagacious soul. Ordinary humans can
not bring themselves to rise to the occasion and let the quality of pardon come to the fore.
It is, therefore, seen that a person in exalted position such as a prince is given the
authority to grant royal pardons to sinners. A prince, because of his status and clout is
seldom harmed or belittled. So, he is not generally gripped by anger against commoners.
This allows him to pardon the evil-doers.
Original
And Solomon, I am sure, saith, “It is the glory of a man to pass by an offence.” That
which is past is gone, and irrevocable; and wise men have enough to do with things
present and to come; therefore they do but trifle with themselves, that labor in past
matters.
Explanation
Prophet Solomon had proclaimed, “It is the glory of a man to pass by an offence.”. This
means that a person who ignores the hurt and humiliation caused to him by others can lay
claim to great glory and adulation.
An evil, once done, becomes history. It can not be reversed. There is little prudency in
grumbling and burning in the bitterness left behind. Wise and conscientious people
choose to think of works at hand and the tasks in the future. They realize the folly of
crying over spilt milk. No doubt, they discern that whining over past injustices is futile,
and unproductive. Worrying over the unpleasant past is an unnecessary and ruinous
exercise.
Original
There is no man doth a wrong for the wrong’s sake; but thereby to purchase himself
profit, or pleasure, or honor, or the like. Therefore why should I be angry with a man for
loving himself better than me? And if any man should do wrong merely out of ill-nature,
why, yet it is but like the thorn or briar, which prick and scratch, because they can do no
other.
Explanation
Seldom does a man indulge in a wicked or immoral act just for the heck of it. What
motivates him to do an abominable act can be just anything – the lure of profit, getting
some pleasure, get some un-deserved honour, or any such urge. In the process, he stands
to gain some material benefit or some mental pleasure.
With great equanimity, and rare sense of accommodation, Bacon asks himself why he
should be annoyed if someone does something to amuse himself. In instances where a
person does something that is really very upsetting, we must pause and realize that he has
been cursed to have a mind that loves sadistic pleasure. Such people are condemned to
miserable existence. In a way they deserve to be pitied and forgiven, because, like a
thorn, they can’t do anything other than pricking others and inflicting pain. An ill-natured
man is like a thorn condemned to live like a mischief-maker and a nuisance in society.
This is enough punishment for him.
Original
The most tolerable sort of revenge is for those wrongs which there is no law to remedy;
but then let a man take heed the revenge be such as there is no law to punish; else a man’s
enemy is still before hand, and it is two for one. Some, when they take revenge, are
desirous the party should know whence it cometh. This is the more generous.
Explanation
Bacon now proceeds to make certain concessions for the revenge seeker. He feels, there
are can be certain loathsome and irritable acts for which there is no legal remedy. As a
result, the perpetrator can not be brought to book, and so, get away with his crime. In
such circumstances, taking revenge can be an acceptable recourse. Bacon, however, adds
a caveat here. The act of revenge must be carefully chosen. It should be outside the
purview of the prevailing law, so that the victim (wrong-doer, earlier) can’t sue the
avenger.
In some cases, the avenger sets up his act such that the victim (wrong-doer, earlier) gets
to know the source of his trouble. This gives the avenger some satisfaction. Such a move
could not be as evil as the leaving the victim to wonder who harmed him. Bacon seems to
approve of this as it limits the chance of the person turning on other innocent people.
Original
For the delight seemeth to be not so much in doing the hurt as in making the party repent.
But base and crafty cowards are like the arrow that flieth in the dark. Cosmus, duke of
Florence, had a desperate saying against perfidious or neglecting friends, as if those
wrongs were unpardonable; “You shall read (saith he) that we are commanded to forgive
our enemies; but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends.
Explanation
When the perpetrator gets to know that the person he wronged has come back to him with
vengeance, he will be deterred from repeating his earlier mischief. He may feel some
remorse thinking that he should not have, in the first place, indulged in the evil act.
However, vile and crooked persons do not have the moral strength to admit that they did
the wrong thing. This complicates the situation.
Cosmus, the Duke of Florence, had some friends who were either deceitful or insincere in
their friendship. Their nature used to annoy Cosmus a lot. He admonished their
supercilious and favour-seeking attitude rather strongly. He warned them that he would
never pardon them, although he was fully empowered to pardon offenders.
Original
“But yet the spirit of Job was in a better tune: “Shall we (saith he) take good at God’s
hands, and not be content to take evil also?” And so of friends in a proportion. This is
certain, that a man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise
would heal and do well. Public revenges are for the most part fortunate; as that for the
death of Caesar; for the death of Pertinax; for the death of Henry the Third of France; and
many more. But in private revenges it is not so. Nay rather, vindictive persons live the
life of witches; who, as they are mischievous, so end they infortunate.
Explanation
Job, the Biblical character, gave some sound advice in the matter. He wondered if we
gratefully accept from the hands of God only those things that we like, and refuse those,
not to our liking. This is also true in friendship. Both good and not so good friends are to
be adored. A vengeful person never allows the scars left by other’s misdeeds to heal. Had
he not been so vindictive, memories of hurt and humiliation would fade off with the
passage of time.
Acts of revenge, committed in full view of the public, can often have some salutary effect
at times. The events such as the death of Caesar, the death of Pertinax, the death of Henry
the Third of France were generally considered desirable, although these events were
driven by revenge.
On the other hand, urge for revenge lying deep in one’s mind can be really toxic. Surely,
but slowly, this devilish passion consumes the bearer. These people live miserably and
die miserably.
 Of Studies
by Francis Bacon
Original
Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.
Explanation
Study as an activity, in whatever form, brings us joy and enhances our thinking, speaking
and writing ability adding charm to our personality.
Original
Their chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and
for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business.
Explanation
Study is always a private activity which people engage in when they are alone or in the
privacy of their homes. It helps them in relaxation after a strenuous routine, when the
body and mind need to slow down. It sharpens our intellect helping us to judge things
soundly. It helps us to go about our life’s business in a more capable way.
Original
For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the general
counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned.
Explanation
It enables the learned men, who have studied extensively, to critically examine issues,
and arrive at the right conclusion. They can garner data, facts and arguments or against a
particular view rationally. Such intelligent analysis of facts improves the soundness and
quality of their judgment.
Original
To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is
affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar.
Explanation
However, over-indulgence in studies leads to undesirable consequences. Setting aside
long hours in a day to study will make a man indolent. Overuse of the wisdom to analyze
ordinary commonplace issues may make the man appear pretentious and vainglorious.
Sticking too much to rules to asses situations and decide on action may invite derision
from others.
Original
They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural
plants, that need pruning, by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too
much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.
Explanation
Studying adds finesse and perfection to human nature. Experiences in life supplements
such honing of nature. A person’s abilities inherited by birth are raw. Only when they are
carefully worked upon and honed, the in-born abilities yield the best benefits to us.
Studying is the whetstone that we use to sharpen our abilities. But inferences from study
may lead to imprecise and misleading conclusions. In such situations, one’s experience in
life comes in handy to arrive at the right conclusion. So, experience is very valuable as it
supplements studies.
Original
Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they
teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by
observation.
Explanation
People who are cunning and deceitful have no appreciation for studies as they accomplish
their objectives through many crooked ways. Simple folks, however, greatly value the
role of studies in human life. Wise people inherently draw upon the ideas obtained from
their studies while solving life’s myriad problems.
Original
Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk
and discourse; but to weigh and consider.
Explanation
The aim of reading and acquiring knowledge must not be to aggressively refute other’s
views or accept the writer’s views as gospel truth. It should also not be to engage in
pointless discussion and argumentation. Studying should enable us to weigh facts and
analyze them rationally.
Original
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and
digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not
curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.
Explanation
Books of varying content and genre are to be made use of differently. Some may be given
a cursory reading, some others can be quickly sifted through. Other important books are
to be read slowly and minutely so as to truly fathom the meaning and underlying sense.
Original
Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that
would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else
distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things.
Explanation
One can ask an assistant to read a book and prepare a short summary of it. But such
practice should be followed for obtaining guidance on matters of lesser importance.
There are some books which are, in fact, shortened already.
Original
Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. Reading
adds perfection to a man’s personality.
Explanation
Discussing with others about the contents of a book imparts special practical skills to the
reader. Writing removes all the residual weaknesses and ignorance from the person and
enables him to remember the contents of a book.
Original
And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little,
he had need have a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to
seem to know that he doth not.
Explanation
So, writing helps to memorize facts. If a person is bashful so as not to discuss his reading
with others, he will not be able to improve his wit. If he does not read, he will remain a
somewhat stupid person.
Original
Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep;
moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend.
Explanation
Studying history makes a man wiser, studying poetry makes a man wittier: mathematics
gives sound logical sense, and philosophy imparts valuable lessons on morality.
Original
Abeunt studia in mores [Studies pass into and influence manners]. Nay, there is no stond
or impediment in the wit but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the
body may have appropriate exercises.
Explanation
Wit is a god-given gift. It is present in everybody. However, it can be sharpened by
selective studying. This is akin to the way certain weaknesses of the human body are
cured by appropriate physical exercises.
Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking
for the stomach; riding for the head; and the like. They cure many ailments.
Original
So if a man’s wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if
his wit be called away never so little, he must begin again.
Explanation
If a person is unable to concentrate, he will do well to study mathematics to focus his
wavering mind. In mathematics, a slight loss of concentration leads to grave error.This
makes the man to start all over again to do it. Thus, studying mathematics restrains the
mind from darting off elsewhere.
Original
If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for
they are cymini sectores [splitters of hairs].
Explanation
If a person does not have the ability to discern, he will be benefited by studying
Schoolmen as it trains mental ability and develops the art of expression.
Original
If he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate
another, let him study the lawyers’ cases.So every defect of the mind may have a special
receipt.
Explanation
If a person is unable to garner facts and manipulate them to put across his views
convincingly, studying law will help him. Thus, every deficiency of mind can be
addressed by appropriate reading.