SUMMARY

Of Studies” is one of the most quoted essays of Sir Francis Bacon. He has

analysed the importance of studies; therefore, in this essay, he convinces his

readers to know its vitality. He does not only talk about bookish knowledge but

also demonstrates the importance of experience; without experience, the studies

cannot help a person, means Sir Francis Bacon. Moreover, in his eyes, studies and

education are two separate things. However, he agrees that education is the

name of studying books and experiences of life. He answers some common

questions that arise in every common mind. For instance, he answers why we

should read books; what are the impacts of studies in one’s life; why study

without experience is useless; and many other such like questions.

He elaborates each assertion through either reference or example. Style of the

author is simple but his arguments are much effective. Further, he uses concise

sentences, similes, and Latin phrases to strengthen his stance.

Three Types of studies in the Eyes of Sir Francis Bacon:

From the very beginning of the essay, Sir Francis Bacon divides studies into three

categories; in fact, these three types are benefits of studies. Studies serve three

purposes, says Sir Francis Bacon, “delight”, “ornament” and “ability”. In Bacon’s

times, the drama was banned; drama may have a moral purpose but it is certainly

a source of entertainment. It was forbidden in that era; therefore, people had no

other option except to rely upon books; thus, books replaced stage. From that

point of view, if we think, then books are the source of entertainment. It may be

the reason that Bacon has used the word “delight”. From modern views, there are

still people in the world, who find delight in books instead of movies and plays.
However, in next lines, he has explained the word “delight” while saying, “their

chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring”. Hence, only words are

different but the purpose is same i.e. entertainment.

Ornaments:

The second purpose that studies serve is “ornaments”. A person, after learning

from books, can present himself in a good manner. Studies also help a person

learn etiquettes. His societal impression is improved and he becomes wise in the

eyes of people. However, Bacon has used only one word to explain, “ornament”

i.e. “discourse”. Thereby, studies increase the speaking power of a person but the

word “discourse” also needs explanation. It has many meanings; discourse has

different types; romantic, professional, religious, motivational, debate etc.

Nevertheless, considering in view the worldly approach of the author, he may

have used it as a professional speaking power or perhaps, he is talking about

impressive discourse in every field of life whether it is profession, religion or

romance.

Elaboration of the third purpose of studies, according to Sir Francis Bacon is

“judgment and disposition of business”. It is somewhat professional. Studies can

help a person in dealing with business matters. Thereby, studies support a person

in professional life. Sir Francis Bacon has also used the word “judgment” to infer

that studies enhance mental eyesight of a person. His vision becomes strong and

he takes quick as well as accurate decisions in business matters.

Experience is the Key Factor:

All three purposes are useless without experience, says Bacon. Too much study

for “delight” makes a person lazy; ornamentation makes him showcase; similarly,

cramming bundle of rules from books does not increase his ability nor does it help

him enhancing his thinking capacity. Everyone has natural abilities and studies

make them perfect but along with studies, the experience is also required to gain
perfection. It actually improves the mentality of a person. In order to elaborate it

further, Bacon uses similes, which are worth mentioning:-

“the natural abilities are like natural plants, that need proyning by study; and
studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be
bounded in by experience.”
Sir Francis Bacon

Hence, studies show a person thousands of paths to walk but experience helps

choosing the right one. Additionally, different types of men see studies differently;

some people do not give studies any value; some appreciate them; but wise are

those, who perfectly use them.

Why and What Kind of Books should We Study?

After describing the importance of study, Francis Bacon gives his own opinions,

“read….to weigh and consider”. A person should not read books to win over a

debate or to oppose arguments of others; nor should he read to believe on each

and everything written in the book; rather he should study books to know the

difference between right and wrong. Moreover, not every book is worth reading.

He divides books, too, into three categories; “tasted”, “swallowed”, and “chewed

and digested”. “Tasted” books are those, which require no special attention. A

reader just needs to go through them; books that come in the category of

“swallowed” need a little attention. Category, “Chewed and digested” is self-

explanatory. These kinds of books need the full concentration of the readers.

Each word and every line should be chewed completely and then digested.

Some Subjects and Their Purposes:

If a person has a habit of reading books then Bacon guarantees improvement in

his temperament. If he is used to exchanging dialogues then his wit is going to be

enhanced. Above all, if he reads books and then writes down every important

suggestion or advice then this method will definitely increase his intellectuality.
Francis Bacon, at the end of the essay, creates a list of different subjects and

sorts them by their benefits. Here is the list of books and their benefits:-

1. History increases wisdom.

2. Poetry enhances imagination.
3. Mathematics makes a person subtle.
4. Philosophy deepens thinking.
5. Logic and rhetoric help to contend.

Thus, a person needs to study the relevant subject as per his choice or

requirement. If he wants wisdom, history can help him. If he wants imaginative

powers, his concern should be poetry. Similarly, mathematics, philosophy, and

logic serve their specific purposes. In Bacon’s eyes, a person can improve himself

as much as he can; he just needs to focus. He actually wants to say that, “reading

is to the mind what exercise is to the body”. With body, the mind also needs

exercise; therefore, every person needs to do an exercise of the mind; he can do

it by studying books.

Conclusion of “Of Studies” by Sir Francis Bacon: 

The whole essay proves the intellectuality of Sir Francis Bacon. It is full of

wisdom. Every line, written by the author, is philosophically rich. His philosophy is

definitely praiseworthy. Moreover, he is called the father of English prose not only

because of his deep philosophy but also because of his writing style. He uses

exact words to summarize his viewpoint. He tries to demonstrate his thinking in

concise words. This essay is well knitted. There is no denying the fact that “Of

Studies” is the pure creation of Sir Francis Bacon. In short, this essay is enough

to regard him as the father of English prose.

Explanation, language n writing style of Bacon

Of Studies is the first essay of the first collection of ten essays of Francis Bacon
which was published in 1597. But it was revised for the edition of 1612. More than
dozen new sentences were added and some words were also altered. Of
Studies is typically Baconian essay with an astonishing terseness, freshness of
illustrations, logical analysis, highly Latinized vocabulary, worldly wisdom
and Renaissance enlightenment.

Bacon through a syllogistic tripartite statement begins his argument to validate

the usefulness and advantage of study in our life. Bacon has the power of
compressing into a few words a great body of thought. Thus he puts forward the
three basic purposes of studies: “Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for
ability”. He later expands his sentence to bring lucidity and clearness. Studies fill
us delight and aesthetic pleasure when we remain private and solitary. While
we discourse, our studies add decoration to our speech. Further, the men of study
can decide best on the right lines in business and politics. Bacon deprecates too
much studies and the scholar’s habit to make his judgment from his reading
instead of using his independent views.

Bacon is a consummate artist of Renaissance spirit. Thus he knows the expanse

of knowledge and utility of studies. He advocates a scientific enquiry of studies.
Through an exquisite metaphor drawn from Botany he compares human mind to a
growing plant. As the growing plants need to be pruned and watered and manured
for optimum development, the new growing conscience of us are to be tutored,
mounded, oriented and devised by studies. But it is experience which ultimately
matures our perception and leads us to perfection:
            “They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience:  for natural
abilities are like natural plants that need proyning by study”.

Next Bacon considers what persons despise studies and what people praise them
and what people make practical use of them. The crafty men condemn studies;
simple men admire them while the wise men make ultimate use of it. But it should
be remembered that the inquisitive mind and keen observation cultivate the real
wisdom. Bacon advises his readers to apply studies to ‘weigh and consider’ rather
than useless contradictions and grandiloquence.

In The Advancement of Learning Bacon makes systematic classifications of

studies and considers different modes to be employed with different kinds of
books: “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be
chewed and digested”.
The books according to its value and utility are to be devised into various modes
of articulations. The worthy classical pragmatic sort are to be adorned by
expertise reading with diligence while the meaner sort of books or less important
books are to be read in summary or by deputy. Again the global span of
knowledge is revealed in his analysis of various subjects and their beneficent
categories. The scholarly mind of Bacon here makes the subtle observation:
            “Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural
philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend”.

Studies do not shape a perfect man without the needed conference and writing.
“And therefore if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer
little he had need have much cunning, to seem to know that he doth’ not”. Bacon
further tells us that our studies pass into our character (Abeunt studia in mores).
Rightly so the constitution of our moral disposition is the outcome of our learning
and experience.
Every defect of the mind, Bacon says, may be cured by a proper choice of reading.
Bacon here draws a parallel between the physical exercise and intellectual
exercise. As different games, sports, exercises beget growth and development,
the different branches of studies cures the in capability of logic, wondering of wit,
lack of distinguish etc. Bacon emphatically concludes that every defect of the
mind may have a special receipt and remedial assurance.

Of Studies contains almost all the techniques of Bacon’s essay writing and the
world of his mind. It is full of wisdom, teachings and didacticism. In style, the
essay is epigrammatic proverbial form, of balance and force. It is full of warmth
and colour, profound wit and knowledge, experience and observation.
   
Francis Bacon is often regarded as the ‘Father of English essays’. But it is often
argued whether his essays correspond to the conventional definition of the term.
This is because Bacon’s essays have a certain distinctive characteristics which
make us question the classification of their genre.
The most notable feature of Bacon’s essay is his aphoristic style. Aphorisms are
straightforward statements that state a truth. Bacon in his essays writes in an
aphoristic style making general statements. For example, in his essay “Of
studies" Bacon states that studies have three purposes - to delight, for ornament
and for ability. Again he says that there are different kinds of books - some are to
be perused lightly, others to be digested and so on. Bacon merely states these
facts almost as if they are established truths. He does not provide his personal
opinion or give any examples as to which books are to be read lightly or which are
to be digested. This aphoristic style in Bacon’s writing leaves the reader to his
own interpretations. Bacon uses the aphoristic style to enable the reader's active
participation allowing him to interpret and add to the meaning of his statements.
This is opposed to the magisterial style where the entire information is provided
making the reader lazy and passive.
Another important feature of Bacon’s essays is his impersonality. Bacon’s
personal choices and opinions are not reflected through his writings. His
impersonality is aided by his aphoristic style. By providing the reader with
statements of truth Bacon saves himself from revealing his true personality. He
rarely exemplifies his arguments and when he does the examples are usually
drawn from history, such as the example of Julius Caesar and Brutus in the essay
“Of Friendship”, which does not require his personal opinion. Bacon’s personality
is detached from his essays.
Bacon’s essays also display a few other features. His essays are usually short,
sometimes shorter than what the conventional definition of essay suggests. They
often lack coherence. This is mainly because most of his essays are not divided
into paragraphs and it is difficult for the reader to grasp a sudden change from
one idea to another. His essays are observational rather than reflective. His style
is very formal.
The various features of Bacon’s essays therefore make it difficult to place his
writings under the genre of essay. But these features also do not suggest
otherwise. Thus Bacon’s works are classified as essays. In conclusion it can be
said that the essays of Francis Bacon possess distinctive features which have
served to preserve his works through the ages. His essays are studied at present
not for their content but for their style.