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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Page 166

 
 
Francis Bacon. (1561–1626) (continued)
 
1948
    I had rather believe all the fables in the legends and the Talmud and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a mind.
          Of Atheism.
1949
    A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion. 1
          Of Atheism.
1950
    Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience. He that travelleth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel.
          Of Travel.
1951
    Princes are like to heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil times, and which have much veneration but no rest. 2
          Of Empire.
1952
    In things that a man would not be seen in himself, it is a point of cunning to borrow the name of the world; as to say, “The world says,” or “There is a speech abroad.”
          Of Cunning.
1953
    There is a cunning which we in England call “the turning of the cat in the pan;” which is, when that which a man says to another, he lays it as if another had said it to him.
          Of Cunning.
1954
    It is a good point of cunning for a man to shape the answer he would have in his own words and propositions, for it makes the other party stick the less.
          Of Cunning.
1955
    It hath been an opinion that the French are wiser than they seem, and the Spaniards seem wiser than they are; but howsoever it be between nations, certainly it is so between man and man.
          Of Seeming Wise.
 
Note 1.
Who are a little wise the best fools be.—Dr. John Donne: Triple Fool.

A little skill in antiquity inclines a man to Popery; but depth in that study brings him about again to our religion.—Thomas Fuller: The Holy State. The True Church Antiquary.

A little learning is a dangerous thing.—Alexander Pope: Essay on Criticism, part ii. line 15. [back]
Note 2.
Kings are like stars: they rise and set; they have
The worship of the world, but no repose.
Percy Bysshe Shelley: Hellas. [back]