Of Studies - Summary
(1)
Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for
delight, is in privateness and retiring: for ornament is in dicourse and for
ability, is in the judgement and disposition of business; 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.
Reference to the Context - These lines have been taken from Francis Bacon's
essay 'Of Studies The Renaissance influenced the people of Elizabethan Age so
greatly that studies became an essential part of their daily life. Bacon throws
light on the proper ways and uses of studies. This essay brings to light
Bacon's good sense, wit and condensation of thoughts. It consists of those
thoughts and ideas which Bacon has discussed in his great work 'The Advancement
Of Learning'.
Explanation - Studies provide amusement; help in improving effectivencess of
speech; and improve skill and perfection; their main purpose of giving airusement
is when we are alone or taking rest. They give effectiveness to conversation or
discussion. They make perfect in deciding or managing things. According to
Bacon experienced man perform well in special parts. But suggestions of
universal importance, details and management of business are done best by
trained persons. Thus Bacon shows his practical wisdom and comprehensiveness.
Generally people give importance to either technical knowledge or practical
experience but Bacon recognizes importance of both and advises to consult an
experienced man if the work is at a small scale, and technically trained or
learned man for managing a work at a large scale. Bacon's aphoristic style is
exposed when he remarks. Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for
ability." Bacon believes in classification. Bacon points out three
purposes of studies and two classes of workers-experienced and learned.
(2) To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for
ornament, is affectation, to make judgement wholly be their rules, is the
humour of a scholar. They perfect nature, and perfected by experience; for
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. Crafty men condemn studies; simple'men admire; 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.
Reference to the Context - These lines have been taken from Francis Bacon's
essay 'Of Studies" The Renaissance influenced the people of Elizabethan
Age so greatly that studies became an essential part of their daily life. Bacon
throws light on the proper ways and uses of studies. It is Bacon's comprehensive
approach to the subject that he points out the medical value as well as the
disadvantages of studies
Explanation - In these lines Bacon points out disadvantages of studies if done
unwisely. Too much study for delight develops idleness; for ornamentation
develops artificiality, to take decision wholly by their rules is a bookish
approach becomes the whim of a learned man. Studies mature natural talent that
is perfected by practical knowledge. Natural talent too require pruning or
trimming Books express confusing or contradictory ideas that should be limited
by experience. Wicked people oppose studies, common or foolish people admire
them while wise people use them. How to use studies is a more important ars
that is attained by practical experience. Thus Bacon shows his practical wisdom
and comprehensiveness. Generally people think studies are always useful but
Bacon advises to avoid excess of studies. He recognises importance of natural
talent. training and practical experience Bacon's aphoristic style is exposed
when he remarks: "Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire; and wise
men use them." Bacon believes in classification, Bacon points out thro
classes of people-crafty, simple and wise.
3) Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor
to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider. 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. Some books
also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of arguments, and the meaner sort
of books; else distilled books are, like common distilled waters, flashy
things.
Reference to the Context - These lines have been taken from Francis Bacon's
essay 'Of Studies' The Renaissance in influenced the people of Elizabethan Age
so greatly that studies because an essential part of their daily life. Bacon,
here deals with the positive purpose and right ways of making studies. He
pleads for the value of original text.
Explanation - According to Bacon there should be a positive object of making
studies. We should study not to contradict and challenge or accept whatever is
present in books. It is better to judge and think over that. He warns against
blind following of books. Besides, all books are not of equal standard. We
should give importance to books according to their greatness, only a few books
are to be chewed and digested ie, to read and understand attentively. All books
are not to be read attentively with labour. It is practical wisdom to give time
to books according to their importance. Mostly books may be read with the help
of notes and guide books or selected pieces made of the subject by other
writers. Books of lower standard may be read with notes. But it, will be
foolishness to read important books with the help of notes. Otherwise notes and
guides are like purified water that is tasteless and dovoid of depth. No man
feels inclined to drink it more. The same may be said regarding notes, ho
reader wishes to read it again and again while original books amuse in spite of
reading again and again. Thus Bacon shows his practical wisdom and
comprehensiveness. Generally people think all books are equally important but
Bacon advises to study books according to their importance.
4) Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man and writing an exact man.
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.
Reference to the Context - These lines have been taken from Francis Bacon's
essay 'Of Studies". The Renaissance influenced the people of Elizabethan
Age so greatly that studies became an essential part of their daily life.
Bacon, here, deals with the right ways of making studies. He makes a
comparative evaluation of reading, writing and conference.
Explanation - Reading, writing and conference are the three ways of learning
with different effects. Reading makes us full of knowledge, writing makes to
the point, and conference makes able to talk on every subject. If we avoid
writing we should improve our memory: if we confer little, we may lack in
present wit and if we read little, we may not be full of knowledge, In that
case we will have to pretend knowledge in those matters also in which we know
nothing. Thus Bacon shows his practical wisdom and comprehensiveness. Generally
people think that reading is the only way of learning but Bacon advises to give
importance to conference and writing also. Bacon's aphoristic style is exposed
when he remark: "Reading maketh. exact man." Bacon believes in
classification. Bacon points out three means of learning.
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